Relentless snowfall has caused great difficulties for people in northwest China's Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region. One of the hardest hit areas has been mountainous Altay Prefecture, where temperatures plummeted to minus 40 degrees Celsius.

Frost has built up on tree branches and even the eyelashes of pedestrians. Most people have stayed home to avoid the chilly weather. Motorists have also been severely affected, with many cars breaking down or failing to start. But temperatures are forecast to rise slightly over the next three days. The lowest temperature is expected to remain at minus 25 degrees Celsius.