Heavy snow and rain hit northern
Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region in northwestern China on
Sunday, according to the regional observatory.
Urumqi, capital of Xinjiang, reported 13.6 millimeters of
precipitation from 3:00 p.m. on Saturday to 2:00 p.m. on
Sunday.
The Kazak Autonomous Prefecture of Ili reported continuous
rainfall for 15 hours from Friday to Saturday and the temperature
was 6 to 12 degrees (Celsius) higher than the average in previous
years.
Floods as a result of melted ice and snow rushed through Ili as
well. No casualties have been reported.
A cold front over northern China on Sunday was the cause of the
heavy downpours, and it will continue to bring cold winds and
temperatures to Xinjiang until Tuesday, according to the China
Meteorological Administration on Sunday.
The temperature drop might freeze grazing pastures, according to
the regional observatory.
(Xinhua News Agency February 13, 2006)