Millions to face a cold, dark Lunar New Year

Millions to face a cold, dark Lunar New Year
Feb 2, 2008 01:33
LEONARDO Points: Join Date: May 21, 2007 Status: offline	A Chinese saying goes, a timely snow promises a good harvest, but this winter the snow is too much around China. Usually, at the end of a year, the hottest issue that Chinese people gossip about is “ coming back home” and “ Spring Festival Gala”. At the moment, snow or snow havoc becomes the national concern. China is staging a war on snow havoc. Late December of 2007(Lunar Calendar) is witnessing the worst winter weather in many parts of China in the past decades. The bad weather has hit central, eastern and southern China severely, which could persist into the Year of the Rat, weather officials said. The heavy could last till Feb. 8 or 9, according to the latest forecasts from the Central Meteorological Station on Saturday morning. “The State Grid of China said that power could be partially restored on Saturday in the worst-hit region in the central province of Hunan, ending an eight-day blackout caused by heavy snow.” However, it takes time to restore power supply completely, which means millions have to face a cold and dark Lunar New Year’s Day. The following report will show you how severe the situation is: Experts said that the snow disaster had displaced the 1998 Yangtze River flood as the largest natural disaster in decades. The 1998 flood affected 2.3 million people. Zhejiang Province had received at least 10 cm of snowfall by Friday night. Airports in Hangzhou and Ningbo were closed and the freeways were open only to trucks carrying relief materials. For the first time in 135 years, Shanghai posted a yellow snowstorm alert on Friday. By Saturday morning, it had received 15cm of snow. Affected by the weather, the Shanghai port at the mouth of the Yangtze River was closed as of 1:00 a.m. Saturday. The move stranded more than 1,000 ships and cancelled the departures of 200.

Feb 2, 2008 01:33

LEONARDO
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Join Date: May 21, 2007
Status: offline

A Chinese saying goes, a timely snow promises a good harvest, but this winter the snow is too much around China. Usually, at the end of a year, the hottest issue that Chinese people gossip about is “ coming back home” and “ Spring Festival Gala”. At the moment, snow or snow havoc becomes the national concern. China is staging a war on snow havoc.

Late December of 2007(Lunar Calendar) is witnessing the worst winter weather in many parts of China in the past decades. The bad weather has hit central, eastern and southern China severely, which could persist into the Year of the Rat, weather officials said.

The heavy could last till Feb. 8 or 9, according to the latest forecasts from the Central Meteorological Station on Saturday morning.
“The State Grid of China said that power could be partially restored on Saturday in the worst-hit region in the central province of Hunan, ending an eight-day blackout caused by heavy snow.” However, it takes time to restore power supply completely, which means millions have to face a cold and dark Lunar New Year’s Day.

The following report will show you how severe the situation is:
Experts said that the snow disaster had displaced the 1998 Yangtze River flood as the largest natural disaster in decades. The 1998 flood affected 2.3 million people.

Zhejiang Province had received at least 10 cm of snowfall by Friday night. Airports in Hangzhou and Ningbo were closed and the freeways were open only to trucks carrying relief materials.

For the first time in 135 years, Shanghai posted a yellow snowstorm alert on Friday. By Saturday morning, it had received 15cm of snow.

Affected by the weather, the Shanghai port at the mouth of the Yangtze River was closed as of 1:00 a.m. Saturday. The move stranded more than 1,000 ships and cancelled the departures of 200.

Feb 2, 2008 01:35

LEONARDO
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Join Date: May 21, 2007
Status: Offline

Electricians rebuild an electricity tower in Longli county, southwest China's Guizhou province, Jan. 31, 2008. Due to the severe snowstorm in recent days, Guizhou electricity grid was badly damaged. Although over 17,000 electricians have been working day and night to repair the grid, there are still 1712 electricity lines not in operation and 11 counties out of power in the province.(Xinhua Photo)

Feb 2, 2008 03:53	#2
BLUESKY001 Points: Join Date: Nov 9, 2007 Status: Offline	"Many power facilities in Hunan were damaged due to repeated extreme weather changes," said Yin Jijun, who is charge of the public relations of the State Grid. "As the weather has deteriorated again, the regional power grid, in particular the southern grid in the province, is facing acute challenges." Premier Wen Jiabao flew to Hunan on Friday for the second time in a week.

Feb 2, 2008 20:48	#3
YVONNE Points: Join Date: Nov 29, 2004 Status: Offline	The electricians are working hard to restore power supply. An electrian drink snow to satisfy his thirst.

Feb 2, 2008 20:50	#4
YVONNE Points: Join Date: Nov 29, 2004 Status: Offline	Rescuers in Hubei Tongshan

Feb 2, 2008 20:53	#5
YVONNE Points: Join Date: Nov 29, 2004 Status: Offline	Rebuilding electricity tower

Feb 2, 2008 21:46	#6
ELLEN77 Points: Join Date: Feb 7, 2007 Status: Offline	Yes, I still have no sense of the festive atmosphere of the Spring Festival. For days we're worrying, scaring and praying. Anyhow the weather is becoming better day by day. Sun will be there.

Feb 3, 2008 03:44	#7
DODGER Points: Join Date: Jul 15, 2007 Status: Offline	Ellen77, I hope all will be well with you soon. Dodger.

Feb 4, 2008 06:00	#8
FAERIEQUEENE Points: Join Date: Aug 8, 2006 Status: Offline	Want to add that in Guangzhou witness the frustrations and even tragedy of going home... of the workers from Hunan and Hubei, for the lunar new year. What i saw in the media appear worrying

Feb 4, 2008 20:18

JIMMYB
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Join Date: Feb 7, 2007
Status: Offline

It is reported that Guangzhou municipality calls on those farmer workers to stay in Guangzhou instead of getting back home. However, Spring Festival is very important for Chinese people. Many people still want to come home. They newspapers reported that about 200000 people crowded into Guangzhou Railway Station when the trunk line between Beijing and Guangzhou was reopened. To maintain the order, armed polices had been deployed there. They built up human walls to separate thousands of passengers.

Feb 11, 2008 21:03	#10
SUMMERSNOW Points: Join Date: Dec 19, 2007 Status: Offline	Does anyone know about the situation now? How about the situation in Hu'nan Province? Is it still snowing there? I noticed that many migrant workers in Guangdong Province were stranded and they watched the Spring Festival Gala because electricity supply is adequate in Guangzhou. Did Hu'nan people watch the Spring Festival Gala on Lunar New Year's Eve?

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