[imagesource: AP Video/ Mr Ning /Supplied]

I can’t see or hear the word ‘sandstorm’ without hearing that Darude track in my head.

Now that we suffer together, let’s take a look at the massive sandstorm that swept through China’s Qinghai province on July 20.

According to Chinese state media, the sands whipped through the province at speeds of up to 48 feet per second (roughly 53 kilometres per hour).

Multiple videos show the sandstorm extending high into the sky across a barren landscape, all the while heading towards motorists fleeing in the other direction.

Business Insider reports that a city in Haixi, the northern tier of as well as part of the southwest of Qinghai Province, was basically swallowed up by the sandstorm at around 7PM local time.

Various clips have been spliced together showing motorists beating a hasty retreat:

There was plenty of activity on social media showing the sandstorm in action:

Footage of a sandstorm in China’s Qinghai province is spreading on social media. pic.twitter.com/Qeg3jxwWl3

— Spriteer (@spriteer_774400) July 22, 2022

#BREAKING #CHINA

🔴CHINA : MASSIVE SANDSTORM, THE LARGEST IN 20 YEARS, SWEPT THROUGH PARTS OF NW CHINA’S QINGHAI !

#VIDEO Epic sky in Northwest China’s QINGHAI PROVINCE ! #BreakingNews #Qinghai #SandStorm #TormentaDearena #TempeteDeSable #Tormenta #Storm pic.twitter.com/9TaQhrqxBS

— loveworld (@LoveWorld_Peopl) July 23, 2022

This giant sandstorm in northwestern China looks like something out of an action movie. Filmed on July 20, the storm can be seen approaching and then swallowing cars on the road. Luckily, no casualties were reported. pic.twitter.com/VhpUvOFhhZ

— NowThis (@nowthisnews) July 23, 2022

Some areas in Qinghai were hit by sandstorm weather, and the “sand wall” tens of meters high was slowly advancing. pic.twitter.com/EHEsZRiCYe

— Kinga (@chopin_edward) July 21, 2022

The sandstorm lasted around four hours, with no casualties reported despite residents being forced to shelter in place.

Large areas of northern, eastern, and central China have also been battling extreme temperatures over the past few weeks. It’s almost like Mother Nature is trying to tell us something.

[source:businsider]