Sandstorms hit northwest China

Sand drifts through China's northwest on Friday - making visibility perilous and shrouding cities in thick orange dust.

Many residents still braved the choking sandstorms - venturing out with facemasks and hooded tops as they faced the elements.

The strong winds carrying dust and sand, accompanied by a sharp drop in temperature, swept across most of Gansu.

Temperatures in the province's capital plummeted to four degrees Celsius while the strong winds prompted a gale warning in a neighbouring province.

The sand has so far not affected flights or traffic in the area.