Worst sandstorm in years shrouds Beijing in haze

Skyscrapers in the center of Beijing appeared to drop from sight amid the dust and sand of the worst sandstorm the city has seen in years.

Traffic was snarled and more than 400 flights out of the capital's two main airports were canceled before noon.

Such storms used to occur regularly in the springtime as sand from western deserts blew eastwards, affecting areas as far as northern Japan.

Massive planting of trees and bushes in fragile areas has reduced the storms' intensity, but the expansion of cities and industries has put constant pressure on the environment throughout china.

It wasn't clear if the storm was related to a recent general decline in air quality despite efforts to end Beijing's choking smog.

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