Cold weather makes life difficult for the homeless
Source: Xinhua |
January 9, 2013, Wednesday
|
Print Edition
Print Edition
GOVERNMENTS in some areas of eastern and southern China are struggling to aid the homeless and repair infrastructure due to persistent cold weather that has brought the lowest temperatures recorded in 28 years.
Shelters equipped with quilts, coats and food have opened their doors to the homeless in Hefei, capital of Anhui Province.
"You can find shelters and aid stations for the elderly and homeless in all communities and villages in our district," said Zou Zhongxian, a civil affairs official in the city's Luyang District.
The civil affairs bureau in Guangzhou, capital of Guangdong Province, has also arranged 1,347 shelters for the elderly.
Snow blanketed Anhui's Huangshan Mountain yesterday, putting pressure on authorities to prevent traffic disruptions and ensure the safety of tourists.
More than 1,000 traffic officers and volunteers have worked together to clear snow and spread salt on icy roads. Motorists have been asked to put chains on their tires and workers have been dispatched to check old trees that may be in danger of toppling.
Maintaining power is also a concern, as regions that rely on hydroelectric power may be prone to electricity shortages during periods of icy weather, experts warned.
An official from a State Grid branch in Hunan Province said 113 power lines have frozen in the province thus far.
The National Meteorological Center said yesterday southern China will continue to experience snow, rain and freezing temperatures for the next few days.
It said the severe weather will intensify with blizzards in western regions along the Yangtze and Huaihe rivers.
The weather is similar to the winter of 2008, when freezing temperatures resulted in 129 deaths and more than 150 billion yuan (US$24.2 billion) in direct economic losses.
However, experts do not expect this winter to be as severe.
"Although the cold fronts are strong, moisture has been inadequate this year, reducing the possibility of a widespread freeze like that of 2008," said Chen Lijuan, a senior engineer at the National Climate Center.
Shelters equipped with quilts, coats and food have opened their doors to the homeless in Hefei, capital of Anhui Province.
"You can find shelters and aid stations for the elderly and homeless in all communities and villages in our district," said Zou Zhongxian, a civil affairs official in the city's Luyang District.
The civil affairs bureau in Guangzhou, capital of Guangdong Province, has also arranged 1,347 shelters for the elderly.
Snow blanketed Anhui's Huangshan Mountain yesterday, putting pressure on authorities to prevent traffic disruptions and ensure the safety of tourists.
More than 1,000 traffic officers and volunteers have worked together to clear snow and spread salt on icy roads. Motorists have been asked to put chains on their tires and workers have been dispatched to check old trees that may be in danger of toppling.
Maintaining power is also a concern, as regions that rely on hydroelectric power may be prone to electricity shortages during periods of icy weather, experts warned.
An official from a State Grid branch in Hunan Province said 113 power lines have frozen in the province thus far.
The National Meteorological Center said yesterday southern China will continue to experience snow, rain and freezing temperatures for the next few days.
It said the severe weather will intensify with blizzards in western regions along the Yangtze and Huaihe rivers.
The weather is similar to the winter of 2008, when freezing temperatures resulted in 129 deaths and more than 150 billion yuan (US$24.2 billion) in direct economic losses.
However, experts do not expect this winter to be as severe.
"Although the cold fronts are strong, moisture has been inadequate this year, reducing the possibility of a widespread freeze like that of 2008," said Chen Lijuan, a senior engineer at the National Climate Center.
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