China grapples with damage from cold wave

Local authorities in China have swung into action by clearing snow-filled roads and saving stranded motorists, following a directive by the central government to address the challenges brought by a record cold wave that hit large parts of the country in recent days. 

On Saturday, China's national observatory issued a yellow alert for a cold wave that is set to grip large parts of the country. China has a four-tier weather warning system, with red representing the most severe alert, followed by orange, yellow and blue.

Smoke and water vapor rises from the stacks of a mixed gas-coal power plant in Beijing, China, December 16, 2023. /CFP

Disaster relief supplies and lighting equipment have reached areas hit by heavy snowfall in north China's Shanxi Province on Sunday, according to the Ministry of Emergency Management.

Supplies including 10,000 cotton coats, 10,000 quilts and 5,000 sets of household emergency lighting equipment were urgently allocated by the ministry and the National Food and Strategic Reserves Administration to ensure the safety and warmth of the locals.

A working group was sent to Yuanqu, a Shanxi county hit by power outages due to heavy snowfall, to guide the work of restoring power supply and heating, distributing disaster relief supplies, and securing people's basic living needs.

Farmer uses a blower to clear the snow on the roof, Shandong Province, China, December 17, 2023. /CFP

In Tibetan Autonomous Prefectures of Yushu and Haibei, northwest China's Qinghai Province, more than 500 vehicles were stranded due to road icing. Rescuers rushed to the site and transferred all the trapped passengers and cars to safety at around 23:00 on Sunday.

At the same time, Yantai City of east China's Shandong Province has been blanketed by snow of up to 20 centimeters starting Saturday. In response, the Naval Aviation University dispatched 1,280 soldiers to clear the snow and ice on streets to ensure smooth traffic flow in major transportation hubs.

Workers cover a greenhouse with plastic film to keep it warm, Shandong Province, China, December 17, 2023. /CFP

Meanwhile, meteorolaogical authorities, departments of emergency response, agriculture and traffic in south-central China's Hunan Province are actively working together to address the challenges brought by the cold weather after over 70 counties and cities in the province were hit by a biting cold front.

"We will dispatch more staff members in a timely manner to strengthen emergency watch and increase patrol frequency, so as to ensure traffic safety," said Ning Weiping, staff at the Transportation Bureau of Chenzhou City.

In Zhengzhou, capital city of central China's Henan Province, authorities installed anti-freezing devices on water meters and pipes for more than 1,600 communities.

In northeast China's Liaoning Province, the agricultural authorities carried out detailed heating measures for fruit and vegetable greenhouses. "We have made detailed precautionary measures, improved contingency plans and spared no efforts to ensure normal production and supply of agricultural products," said Ren Guang, staff member at the Agriculture and Rural Affairs Bureau of Benxi City.

(With input from Xinhua)