Equipment to monitor the origin and direction of sandstorms has been put into use in six cities and counties in north China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region.

Statistics show Mongolia has been one of the principal sources of sandstorms across the country in the past half century.

In order to monitor and control the sandstorms, 11 ground stations using advanced technology have been established by local environmental protection departments.

The lidar systems will be mainly used to observe and monitor the origin, direction and sedimentation of the sandstorms and to help local authorities take adequate measures to deal with them.