Footage has been posted online by citizens of Golmud in Qinghai Province, China of a massive sandstorm heading towards the city. / People's Daily
A huge sandstorm yesterday swept across a city in northern China within minutes.
Apocalyptic video footage, taken by residents, shows how the cloud of thick dust more than 100 feet tall engulfed the city of Golmud in Qinghai Province.
The sandstorm was accompanied by gale-force winds of up to 20.7metres per second, according to China Global Television Network.
Sandstorms, affected by a trail of cold air at ground level, have battered parts of China this week.
The film clips, released by China Central Television, show an apocalyptic sight of dust cloud rolling in over the city.
Apocalyptic sandstorm sweeps across northwest China. Photo /Weibo
The dust cloud appeared over 50 metres high (164ft) and covered the city in a few minutes.
According to China Central Television, the storm brought down trees, caused damage and reduced visibility to under 600 metres (1,968ft) in the city and under 100 metres (328ft) in suburb area.
Golmud police issued warnings through loudspeakers and flashed emergency lights to remind road users to drive slowly.
