This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/7219092.stm
The article has changed 7 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Version 1 | Version 2 |
---|---|
China 'set for more snow storms' | China 'set for more snow storms' |
(about 1 hour later) | |
China's worst snow storms in decades look set to continue for at least three more days, a top forecaster has warned. | |
China Meteorological Administration's head, Zheng Guoguang, urged against travel over the busy holiday season. | |
Hundreds of thousands of people remain stranded at stations, with key rail links and highways blocked by the snow. | Hundreds of thousands of people remain stranded at stations, with key rail links and highways blocked by the snow. |
The government is working to convince people it is handling the situation, praising officials and naming three men who died "Revolutionary Martyrs". | |
The electricians, who were trying to clear snow and ice from power lines in Hunan province, died when the pylon they had climbed collapsed. | |
class="" href="/1/hi/in_pictures/7217553.stm">In pictures: Weather chaos class="" href="/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/7214937.stm">Eyewitness: Snow chaos class="" href="/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/7218242.stm">Misery of stranded millions | |
State television showed images of army troops working to clear snow, while newspapers published tales of workers' bravery amid the freeze. | |
And on Wednesday, Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao visited travellers stranded in the southern city of Guangzhou to apologise for the delays. | And on Wednesday, Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao visited travellers stranded in the southern city of Guangzhou to apologise for the delays. |
More than half a million people, many of them migrant workers, have been unable to leave the city for the Lunar New Year holiday because of a blocked train line. | More than half a million people, many of them migrant workers, have been unable to leave the city for the Lunar New Year holiday because of a blocked train line. |
Scuffles were reported as frustrated travellers fought for seats on the few trains that did depart from the station. | Scuffles were reported as frustrated travellers fought for seats on the few trains that did depart from the station. |
Some travellers were unconvinced by Mr Wen's visit. | Some travellers were unconvinced by Mr Wen's visit. |
"It's nice to know that the state is thinking about us, but I am not optimistic," one would-be traveller, Quan, told Reuters news agency. | "It's nice to know that the state is thinking about us, but I am not optimistic," one would-be traveller, Quan, told Reuters news agency. |
Power outages | Power outages |
The snowstorms, which began on 10 January, are the worst for half a century. | The snowstorms, which began on 10 January, are the worst for half a century. |
The weather has affected nearly 80 million people across 14 provinces in the centre and south of the country. | |
By the end of Tuesday, at least 38 people had been killed in snow-related accidents such as house collapses and falls, the Ministry of Civil Affairs said, and more have died in traffic accidents. | By the end of Tuesday, at least 38 people had been killed in snow-related accidents such as house collapses and falls, the Ministry of Civil Affairs said, and more have died in traffic accidents. |
A top agriculture official has also warned of a serious impact on crop production in the south. | A top agriculture official has also warned of a serious impact on crop production in the south. |
"The impact on fresh vegetables and on fruit in some places has been catastrophic," Chen Xiwen, deputy director of the Communist Party's financial affairs team, told journalists. | "The impact on fresh vegetables and on fruit in some places has been catastrophic," Chen Xiwen, deputy director of the Communist Party's financial affairs team, told journalists. |
In some areas, people are already experiencing shortages of food as the weather delays deliveries of key commodities. | In some areas, people are already experiencing shortages of food as the weather delays deliveries of key commodities. |
More than a dozen provinces have also been hit by blackouts due to missed coal deliveries for power stations and rising demand amid the cold. | More than a dozen provinces have also been hit by blackouts due to missed coal deliveries for power stations and rising demand amid the cold. |
Half a million troops have been deployed to help the relief effort. The army is also distributing quilts and padded coats. | Half a million troops have been deployed to help the relief effort. The army is also distributing quilts and padded coats. |
Some trains and roads are now moving again, but at least 12 national highways in southern and central regions remain blocked. | Some trains and roads are now moving again, but at least 12 national highways in southern and central regions remain blocked. |
Services on the key Guangzhou-Beijing line were unlikely to return to normal for several days, officials said. | Services on the key Guangzhou-Beijing line were unlikely to return to normal for several days, officials said. |
Mr Zheng said that with temperatures unlikely to rise, people should stay at home. | Mr Zheng said that with temperatures unlikely to rise, people should stay at home. |
"For the sake of their safety, and relieving the stress on transport, I advise migrant workers to stay in the cities where they work," he told China Daily. | "For the sake of their safety, and relieving the stress on transport, I advise migrant workers to stay in the cities where they work," he told China Daily. |
Have you been affected by the cold weather in southern China? Send us your pictures, some of which may be published. | Have you been affected by the cold weather in southern China? Send us your pictures, some of which may be published. |
You can send pictures and video to: | You can send pictures and video to: |
yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to +44 7725 100 100. If you have a large file you can upload here. Click here to see terms and conditions | yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to +44 7725 100 100. If you have a large file you can upload here. Click here to see terms and conditions |
At no time should you endanger yourself or others, take any unnecessary risks or infringe any laws. | At no time should you endanger yourself or others, take any unnecessary risks or infringe any laws. |