Snowstorms hit central China as authorities suspend school classes, public transportation

By Anadolu staff

ANKARA (AA) – Authorities in central China's Henan province suspended school classes and transportation in different parts until Thursday following continuous snowstorms, state-run media said on Tuesday.

The decision was taken after Henan Meteorological Service issued a yellow alert for snowstorms and a warning for five millimeters or above snowfalls in different cities of the province, Global Times reported.

Authorities in Jiyuan city said over 20 millimeters of snow have fallen, affecting transportation and agriculture production.

Shuttle buses and public transportation in some parts of the province, including Xin'an and Luoning counties in Luoyang, are suspended, as are seven railway trains departing from Zhengzhou.

The Meteorological Service forecasted that the first extensive rain and snowfall of the year would continue for three days or longer in different parts of central and east China provinces.

Meanwhile, authorities in northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region announced that a snow-blocked section of a road connecting Hemu Village to the well-known Kanas scenic area has been cleared after avalanches days ago.

Multiple rounds of snowfall had swept through the Kanas scenic area since Jan. 6, causing several avalanches that had blocked roads connecting the scenic area to other regions, according to Xinhua News.

The avalanches affected some 300 kilometers (186 miles) of road in the area and over 1,000 tourists and locals were stranded in Hemu Village.

*Writing by Islamuddin Sajid