Strong winds ripped through dust-filled skies in northern China as a large sandstorm hit the area on March 21.

Footage recorded by the China Meteorological Administration (CMA) shows employees fighting to launch a weather balloon in the strong wind.

The CMA said the sandstorm hit Erenhot in the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region on Tuesday, March 21, reducing visibility and bring strong winds.

Several provinces in the north of China were issued Yellow, Orange, and Red weather warnings for sand, dust, and strong wind on Wednesday, the CMA said. Credit: China Meteorological Administration via Storyful