Cars struggled to move when a severe sandstorm engulfed roads turning the sky orange in China.

Footage captured on the streets of the Sonid Right Banner in the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, showed the cars cautiously making their way through the roads on March 27.

It followed after a fierce sandstorm swept through the central and eastern parts of the region, with winds reaching speeds as high as 102 kph(63.4mph).

Additionally, the storm reduced visibility to less than 88 metres (288 feet)and covered several areas in a thick haze of orange dust as of 11:40 am.

The Sunit Right Banner Meteorological Bureau then issued a red warning at around 11:51 am, launching several emergency measures.

The local government suspended work, classes, production, and transportation. According to reports, the sandstorm was forecast to continue over the next two days.

Experts advised the public to stay indoors, close their windows, and keep away from billboards and trees due to the heavy winds and dust.

Zhang Bihui, the director of the environmental meteorology office at the National Meteorological Centre, elaborated on why sandstorms occur in the area.

Zhang said: 'The temperature has increased in the northern regions of China and the main region of sand sources in southern Mongolia, with the highest exceeding 18 degrees Celsius, which is two to four degrees Celsius higher than the same period of the year.

'In addition, the precipitation in these areas is less.

'The rising temperature and less precipitation also lead to a significant decrease in snow cover in these areas compared with February, so the bare surface provides very favourable sand source conditions for sand dust.'