China’s worst winter weather for several years by Alex Deakin
The blizzards and icy temperatures that have lasted nearly three weeks now, have stranded millions of people at airports, railway stations and bus depots in China’s south, central and eastern regions.
The freak weather, which has killed at least 60 people, and doomed millions to a cold, dark Lunar New Year holiday, could last another week, according to the Central Meteorological Station. It is being described as the worst winter weather in 50 years.
Fresh falls of snow started to blanket central, south and east China on Friday, prompting the government to warn that the weather crisis had yet to peak. Emergency crews struggled on Saturday to restore power to parts of southern China blacked out for a week by heavy snow.
The situation on the roads worsened, causing large sections of the main Beijing-Zhuhai highway to grind to a halt.
As much as 21cm (7 inches) of snow covered Shanghai, and officials posted a snowstorm alert for the first time in 135 years.
The weather has also destroyed crops, hit industrial production and caused power outages. On Sunday, workers were trudging in the snow to fix power lines in Guizhou province, one of the hardest hit areas.
Forecasters are predicting further snowfalls in central, eastern and southern provinces.
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