China: northeastern region is paralyzed by snowstorms

The most intense snowstorm in the last 56 years in northeastern China has hampered air and road traffic in many areas . In the coastal city of Dalian, snow storms caused widespread electricity and water loss. .

Under the impact of the gale, the city's largest thermal power company was forced to reduce its supply to 40% of its midnight customers, leaving thousands of families in the city to live in the cold when temperatures dropped below minus 7 poison.

According to company spokesman, the repair work is expected to start this afternoon, March 5, the time when the wind is expected to weaken. However, the city authorities expect the repair work to take another 2-3 days.

Blizzard began to overflow in Dalian on the evening of March 3 and lasted until today. Many other areas in northeastern China are also affected by rain and snow, with an average of 36 mm of precipitation in the capital city of Shenyang of Liaoning Province and 68 mm in Dandong City.

At least 1 person was confirmed dead and 7 were injured when the roof of a market of agricultural products collapsed under the weight of snow yesterday. Meanwhile in Huanggu, according to a witness, three ceilings of Minglian Agricultural Business Building collapsed at noon, burying about 20 sellers. Rescue workers are still looking for survivors under the rubble. The source from the hospital said most of the victims had broken bones.

A man was clearing snow around his car in Shenyang City on March 4

According to a spokesman for the Liaoning Province Department of Civil Affairs, more than 1,100 houses in the province collapsed and 1,300 other houses were badly damaged. The provincial government has arranged temporary accommodation for those in distress.

In Shenyang City, most vehicles are banned from traffic except for vehicles cleaning the city. Schools with 900,000 students also temporarily closed.

Blizzard also forced Taoxian International Airport to close at 8am, 4-3. At least 1,000 stranded passengers and 144 flights were canceled. Authorities are expected to reopen the airport at 2pm this afternoon.

At Beijing International Airport, more than 200 flights were delayed at 1 pm via rain and snow.

The Chinese meteorological agency predicts that rain will continue in most parts of northern China in the next two days.

T.VY