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Snow threat for quake-hit regions
Source: Xinhua |
January 10, 2009, Saturday
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Print Edition
Print Edition
THE icy mountain road that served as a lifeline in Beichuan after the May 12 earthquake, was as slippery as glass. The road, connecting 12 outlying towns and villages, was covered with snow and ice, with two major cave-ins.
Along the route, Liu Taiyuan, 72, said he saw more than 200 workers doing repairs and clearing ice and snow.
Heavy snow that began to fall on New Year's Day has disrupted road traffic since then, cutting off more than 60,000 residents, said Huang Junshan, a traffic police officer in Leigu Township.
To ensure safety, Huang and his colleagues stop every passing vehicle, registering the number plates, taking photos and making sure tire chains were in place.
"We urge drivers with less than three years' road experience to abandon their trips into the mountains," said Huang.
The 36-kilometer trip from Leigu Township to Yuli Village, the endpoints of the road, takes three hours.
Leigu and Yuli were among the areas worst hit by the earthquake. Thousands died. Schools and hospitals were relocated to prefabricated structures, while villagers built huts with boards and felt.
As temperatures fall to the freezing point, most villagers heat their homes with firewood.
"Fortunately we've stored some supplies," said Liu. His little cabin in Yuli Village is kept warm by charcoal. Homemade sausages hang on the wall.
Liu and his wife kept adding fuel to the stove, but the place was still too cold for their 12-year-old grandson, who huddled under his quilt to watch TV.
By the end of last year, Liu said the local government had rationed out rice, cooking oil, quilts, winter clothing and 140 yuan (US$20) in cash. "The real trouble is transport," said Liu. "A trip to Leigu Township costs 150 yuan."
The traffic logjam has hampered construction of permanent homes, said village official Fu Zhanguo.
Next to Liu's cabin stood his partly built new home. The concrete structure and roof are in place, but "we're still waiting for bricks to complete the house," said Liu.
As of yesterday, 16 provinces -- more than half of the country -- have had snow or sleet and ice storms have disrupted traffic.
Along the route, Liu Taiyuan, 72, said he saw more than 200 workers doing repairs and clearing ice and snow.
Heavy snow that began to fall on New Year's Day has disrupted road traffic since then, cutting off more than 60,000 residents, said Huang Junshan, a traffic police officer in Leigu Township.
To ensure safety, Huang and his colleagues stop every passing vehicle, registering the number plates, taking photos and making sure tire chains were in place.
"We urge drivers with less than three years' road experience to abandon their trips into the mountains," said Huang.
The 36-kilometer trip from Leigu Township to Yuli Village, the endpoints of the road, takes three hours.
Leigu and Yuli were among the areas worst hit by the earthquake. Thousands died. Schools and hospitals were relocated to prefabricated structures, while villagers built huts with boards and felt.
As temperatures fall to the freezing point, most villagers heat their homes with firewood.
"Fortunately we've stored some supplies," said Liu. His little cabin in Yuli Village is kept warm by charcoal. Homemade sausages hang on the wall.
Liu and his wife kept adding fuel to the stove, but the place was still too cold for their 12-year-old grandson, who huddled under his quilt to watch TV.
By the end of last year, Liu said the local government had rationed out rice, cooking oil, quilts, winter clothing and 140 yuan (US$20) in cash. "The real trouble is transport," said Liu. "A trip to Leigu Township costs 150 yuan."
The traffic logjam has hampered construction of permanent homes, said village official Fu Zhanguo.
Next to Liu's cabin stood his partly built new home. The concrete structure and roof are in place, but "we're still waiting for bricks to complete the house," said Liu.
As of yesterday, 16 provinces -- more than half of the country -- have had snow or sleet and ice storms have disrupted traffic.
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