Heavy snowfalls hit east Russia and north China by Steph Ball
Snow and blizzards have hit parts of east Russia and northern China over the last day or so, for some areas bringing record high snowfalls.
As a storm approached Vladivostok, Russia, on Sunday bringing heavy snow and stormy winds, authorities warned businesses and schools to close for the day. The storm left metre-high drifts of snow bringing roads to a standstill as owners abandoned their cars. There was also disruption to other travel services as the ferry line between Popov and Russky had to be cancelled.
A state of emergency was declared over Russia’s Primorsky territory on Monday as the snow continued to build. More than two months precipitation was recorded in 24hrs, running from Sunday night into Monday, across the southern districts of the Territory and in Vladivostok.
An official of the Vladivostok City Administration reported the snow to be their heaviest since they started keeping records 130 years ago.
Record snowfalls also hit the northeast of China, with the snow reported to be the heaviest in the Liaoning province for more than half a century. This caused disruption to air and road travel, with two metre deep drifts closing up to 11 highways. Many flights also had to be cancelled at the Taoxian international airport in the provincial capital, Shenyang.
The storm also whipped up fierce winds out at sea with two rescue boats having to be sent out to ensure the safety of hundreds of fishermen who were still out at sea. The ships in the Yellow Sea just off the coast of the eastern province of Jiangsu, were unable to return to harbour due to the stormy seas.
The cold weather moving south has reached as far as the island of Taiwan, bringing a few snow flurries to its highest peak yesterday. The peak is a one of the country’s most popular hiking destinations and has only just re-opened after an annual one-month closure.
As the cold air mass descending from China strengthens, temperatures across Taiwan are expected to continue plunging with more snow forecast.
|
|
