Northern China blanketed with floating sand and dust

Buildings are shrouded in dust and sand in Beijing (Mark Schiefelbein/AP)

Many areas in northern China were blanketed with floating sand and dust on Thursday, and a sandstorm was expected to sweep through parts of Inner Mongolia.

The sandy, dusty weather and strong winds will last until Sunday, the National Meteorological Centre said, adding that people should take precautionary measures to guard against poor air quality.