Consecutive snow and freezing weather have blocked about 14,000
km of highways in the southwestern province of Yunnan and more than
12,000 passengers will be affected on Sunday alone, according to a
spokesman of the provincial transport department.
Since late January, snow storms hit Yunnan, and in the northern
part of the province, roads were seriously damaged.
From Jan. 19 to Saturday, the interrupted roads have amounted to
14,000 km, of which expressways are 265 km and trunk roads more
than 5,000 km.
The disaster left about 178,000 people and 20,000 motor vehicles
stranded, and caused an economic loss of 154 million yuan (about
20.5 million U.S. dollars).
Snowy weather revisited the province on Thursday. Qujing, the
second largest city in Yunnan, closed six highways, cancelled 42
coach routes and suspended operation of about 800 motor vehicles.
Transport in other cities, including Zhaotong and Diqing, had also
been affected by snows.
The provincial transport department has organized a repair
working force to ensure smooth road travel, especially the
transport of important equipment and materials. However, the
repairs were greatly hampered by the plateau climate, poor
facilities and shortage of money. The workers have no even special
anti-freezing and snow removing facilities.
(Xinhua News Ageny February 17, 2008)
