Blizzard disrupts transport across Xinjiang

Heavy snow and strong winds swept across several parts of northwest China’s Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region from Saturday night to Sunday, disrupting transport and prompting emergency operations across a number of cities.

In the regional capital Urumqi, the snow intensified on Saturday evening as temperatures fell below zero, leaving major roads covered with snow and ice. Local authorities deployed road crews and traffic police to clear the snow overnight, and conditions gradually improved by early Sunday.

East to Urumqi in Hami City, a blizzard in Tianshan Mountains reduced visibility early Sunday and caused icy roads, stranding vehicles on several key routes. Police carried out rescue operations and assisted stranded drivers as temperatures dropped to minus 20 degrees Celsius.