China is bracing for heavy snowfall as the Ministry of Emergency Management activated a Level IV emergency response for low temperatures and snow in the provinces of Anhui, Henan, and Hubei on Tuesday. The national commission for disaster prevention, reduction, and relief has dispatched work teams to these provinces to assist with disaster prevention and emergency response efforts.
The freezing rain and snow are expected to affect multiple areas, posing high disaster risks especially during the traffic peak following the Spring Festival holiday. The ministry has urged relevant regions to closely monitor weather changes, enhance coordination across departments, strengthen rescue forces, and prepare for disaster relief work in advance.
Beijing’s First Snowfall of the Year of the Dragon
Beijing experienced its first city-wide snowfall for the Year of the Dragon starting Tuesday evening. While the snowfall ended in downtown Beijing after midnight, it is forecasted to continue until Wednesday afternoon in mountainous areas. The city’s meteorological center has issued a yellow alert for icy roads, warning of below-freezing surface temperatures from Tuesday night to Wednesday evening. Commuters are advised to exercise caution during morning rush hours.
Alerts Issued Across Northern Provinces
The Hebei Meteorological Center issued a yellow alert for blizzards on Tuesday morning, with heavy snow expected to hit cities including Shijiazhuang, Hengshui, Xingtai, Handan, and Zhangjiakou from Tuesday afternoon to Wednesday. Meanwhile, widespread snowfall has occurred across much of neighboring Shanxi Province since Monday night, resulting in the closure of expressways.
Local traffic police in Shanxi have implemented emergency measures, such as intensifying patrols, diverting vehicles stranded in certain sections, and arranging police vehicles to escort vehicles on the road. On Tuesday noon, the Shanxi Meteorological Center issued a blue alert for blizzards, with heavy snow anticipated in cities like Taiyuan, Luliang, Jinzhong, and Linfen.
Emphasis on Safety and Preparedness
Authorities are emphasizing the importance of safety and preparedness as severe weather conditions continue. The ministry highlighted that disaster risks are relatively high given the increased travel following the Spring Festival holiday. Regions are being urged to enhance coordination and ensure that rescue forces are on standby to respond swiftly to any emergencies.
With input from Xinhua
Reference(s):
Emergency measures implemented to cope with heavy snow in China
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