China is mobilizing resources nationwide to combat one of the harshest cold waves of the season, with central and eastern regions bracing for record-breaking lows this weekend. The National Meteorological Center renewed a blue alert for extreme cold and a yellow alert for gale-force winds on Friday, signaling widespread disruptions across key economic and population hubs.
Temperature Drops Up to 10°C
Regions from the northwestern deserts to the Huanghuai plains—including Henan, Anhui, Jiangsu, and Shandong provinces—could see mercury levels plunge more than 10 degrees Celsius within 24 hours. The cold front is also impacting the Qinghai-Xizang Plateau and western Sichuan, raising concerns about transportation bottlenecks and energy demand spikes.
Local Authorities Take Action
Municipal teams have activated emergency protocols to safeguard vulnerable communities and maintain supply chains. Measures include:
- Preemptive power grid stabilization efforts
- Round-the-clock monitoring of heating systems
- Rapid-response teams for highway snow clearance
Over 200,000 thermal blankets and 15,000 portable heaters have been distributed in high-risk areas since Thursday night, according to state media updates.
Reference(s):
China adopts multiple safety measures as cold wave grips nation
cgtn.com
