CHANGSHA/NANCHANGL: Over the past few days, people in southern China experienced shivers as a cold snap brought heavy snowfall and sweeping blizzards across a large part of the country.
The first cold snap of 2024 lasted from Saturday to Tuesday, bringing rain, heavy snow and freezing temperatures to provinces such as Hunan, Jiangxi and Guizhou.
Due to the impact of snow and ice, trucks found themselves stranded on highways, and trains were suspended or slowed down. Local railways, transportation, public security and other departments promptly swung into action to ensure the smooth and safe travel of passengers.
In southwest China’s Guizhou Province, heavy snow on Tuesday caused disruptions for trucks on a major expressway. To ensure safe passage, the local traffic police led the way for both large and small vehicles, with police cars driving at the front of the convoy.
Amidst the echoing waves of sirens, large trucks and cars lined up on the high-speed lane, moving forward in an orderly manner. “The road has become severely frozen, but with traffic police escorting us all the way, our safety is better assured,” said Zhang Guiping, a truck driver, after reaching the provincial capital Guiyang on Tuesday afternoon.
On Monday, some passenger trains passing through the cities of Nanchang, Jiujiang and Yingtan stations in east China’s Jiangxi Province were delayed due to moderate or heavy snow.
A railroad switch at Nanchang Station was covered with snow and ice on Monday morning. As soon as the railway maintenance workers on duty received the report, they rushed to the scene with ice shovels, blowtorches, antifreeze, and other tools. They were split into two groups to clear the railway tracks and rail gaps covered in ice and snow, and apply antifreeze to the tracks.
According to data from the meteorological bureau of central China’s Hunan Province, from 7 a.m. Monday to 7 a.m. Tuesday, snowfall affected most areas of Hunan. Thirteen counties saw very heavy snow, 62 counties recorded a maximum snow depth exceeding 5 cm while 23 counties reported a maximum snow depth exceeding 10 cm.
Since Sunday evening, the cold wave has affected many places in Xiangxi Tujia and Miao Autonomous Prefecture, with a maximum snow depth of 14 cm in the urban area and 28 cm in middle and high-altitude areas.
A total of 21 passengers traveling on a bus were stranded near Shidi Township in Xiangxi’s Yongshun County due to snow and traffic restrictions.
The bus, en route from Shenzhen to Yongshun, was carrying people heading home for the Spring Festival holiday.
After receiving the news, the local traffic police immediately sent water, instant noodles and other food items for the passengers. They were later transported to the town in batches using government vehicles and police cars, and accommodations were arranged for them. Jishou City, the capital of Xiangxi Tujia and Miao Autonomous Prefecture, has set up voluntary service stations at every highway toll gate. –Agencies
