The Korea Meteorological Administration said Monday Seoulites have coughed and blinked more from yellow dust blown over from the Gobi Desert than at any time in the past 40 years.

Seoul has endured the yellow dust phenomenon for 15 days this year, including the cloud which arrived Monday.

This year, yellow sand was observed in Chunchon and Incheon for 16 days, Kwangju and Taejon for 12 days, Kangnung 11 days and Pusan 9 days. All have surpassed the average 3.3 days observed in 60 points of the nation during the past 30 years.

He added that the nation will likely be hit by several more yellow dust clouds in mid- and late April.