Snowstorms Cause Havoc in China

Blizzards in China stranded hundreds of thousands of travelers today as forecasters warned more severe snowstorms were on their way.

The harsh weather - said to be the worst for half a century in parts of the country - has destroyed homes and crops, shut major roads and rail lines, grounded flights and caused power blackouts.

The China Meteorological Administration issued a red alert, the highest of its five ratings, warning central and eastern regions to expect
severe snow and ice storms.

Yang Guiming, the chief forecaster, said that there was no room for optimism, and that extreme weather could continue to affect central, southern and north-western areas for up to a week.

It has already wreaked havoc on a transport system facing its busiest time of year, with millions of workers preparing to return home for the spring festival (Chinese New Year). For many people, it is their only chance of the year to see their families.

At least 24 people have died because of the weather and the civil affairs ministry reported that 67 million were been affected. It estimated the total cost to the country at 18.2bn yuan (£1.3bn).

According to state news agency, Xinhua, the premier, Wen Jiabao, warned yesterday that lives were still at risk, adding: "The most difficult phase has not passed."

Officials said thousands of passengers had been stuck on electric trains after they came to a standstill, and warned of blackouts in 17 provinces, cities and autonomous regions, with serious damage to power grids in central Hubei and Hunan provinces as well as Guizhou and Guangdong provinces, in the south.

In Guangzhou, the capital of Guangdong, hundreds of police and soldiers struggled to control around 200,000 travelers - mostly migrant factory workers - stranded by the weather last night.

Radio announcements warned passengers that most trains had been canceled and tickets were no longer being sold until February 7, the start of the new year.