Beijing choked by worst dust storm in decade

The Chinese capital Beijing has been shrouded in thick brown dust due to heavy winds blowing in from the Gobi Desert and parts of north-western China and creating what the weather bureau has called the biggest sandstorm in a decade.

Skyscrapers in the centre of Beijing appeared to drop from sight amid the dust and sand.

Traffic was snarled and more than 400 flights out of the capital’s two main airports were cancelled before midday (local time).

The China…