As the Year of the Dragon unfolds, China is bracing for a significant winter storm that has prompted immediate emergency responses across several provinces.
The Ministry of Emergency Management activated a Level IV emergency response on Tuesday to address the low temperatures and heavy snowfall sweeping through Anhui, Henan, and Hubei provinces. In response, the national commission for disaster prevention, reduction, and relief has deployed dedicated work teams to support disaster prevention and emergency efforts.
The severe weather, characterized by freezing rain and substantial snow, poses heightened risks, especially with the ongoing traffic peak following the Spring Festival holiday. Beijing witnessed its first city-wide snowfall of the season on Tuesday evening. While downtown areas saw the snowfall subside after midnight, mountainous regions are expected to experience continued snowfall until Wednesday afternoon.
The city's meteorological center has issued a yellow alert for icy roads due to anticipated below-freezing surface temperatures from Tuesday night through Wednesday evening. Commuters are advised to exercise caution during the morning rush hours to navigate the slippery conditions safely.
China utilizes a four-tier, color-coded weather warning system, with red indicating the most severe conditions, followed by orange, yellow, and blue. On Tuesday morning at 9 a.m., the Hebei Meteorological Center issued a yellow alert for blizzards, forecasting heavy snow in cities such as Shijiazhuang, Hengshui, Xingtai, Handan, and Zhangjiakou from Tuesday afternoon to Wednesday.
In neighboring Shanxi Province, widespread snowfall since Monday night has led to the closure of several expressways. Local traffic police have implemented emergency measures, including intensified patrols, rerouting of stranded vehicles, and police escorts for convoys on affected roads. Additionally, the Shanxi Meteorological Center issued a blue alert for blizzards at noon on Tuesday, predicting heavy snowfall in Taiyuan, Luliang, Jinzhong, and Linfen.
The Ministry has urged all relevant regions to stay vigilant regarding weather changes, enhance inter-departmental coordination, bolster rescue teams, and prepare comprehensive disaster relief plans in advance to mitigate the impact of the ongoing storm.
Reference(s):
Emergency measures implemented to cope with heavy snow in China
cgtn.com
