Hubei faces more snow

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Source: CCTV.com | 02-02-2008 08:59

Another snowstorm has got underway in central China's Hubei Province with China's southeastern regions worst hit by the blizzard.

Another snowstorm has got underway in central China''s Hubei Province with China''s southeastern regions worst hit by the blizzard.

Since mid-January, Hubei has been hit with 17 days of snow, the longest, sustained period in the past six decades. Local authorities say they're trying to reducing the storm's impact as much as possible.

Thursday was the warmest day since the 12th of January, when snowy weather started to hit Hubei Province. The temperature in Wuhan finally went above zero to 3.6 degrees Celsius. Snow and ice has been cleared from the roads, and traffic is slowly moving again.

But the ongoing snowy weather has not let up just yet. Snow started falling again at about 9 am on Friday. Neighboring cities, like Huangshi and Xianning, have been struck by heavy snow since Thursday night, the start of the fourth round of snowfall across the province since the beginning of the year.

However, there is some good news. As the Beijing-Guangzhou rail line resumed operation on Thursday, some of the routes departing from Wuhan that were closed during the past few days have gradually re-opened. This has greatly reduced the number of passengers stranded at stations. Wuhan railway authorities have also turned hotel lounges nearby the railway stations into temporary shelter for travelers still held back, keeping them warm and comfortable.

At the Wuchang Railway station, staff are working around the clock to bring transport capacity back to normal. Most trains delayed since the 29th of January have departed, with only a few routes to Hunan and Jiangxi Province still held up. The once-crowded temporary waiting hall is now empty.

The station has also increased safety measures and logistics support. Soldiers from the Chinese People's Armed Police Forces are ensuring passenger safety and order. A medical team from the Wuhan Tongji Hospital has been working 24 hours a day to deal with travelers' emergency health problems.

The Hubei Provincial Railway Bureau has dispatched a Communist Party Member Pioneer Team and a Youth Pioneer Team to help passengers carry their luggage, buy tickets and deliver food and drinks. These volunteer workers can be found everywhere at the station, wearing red caps with a red banner reading "putting people first, ensuring a harmonious journey".

Forecasts say snowstorms in the province will worsen from Friday night to Saturday. But there will be a short respite on Sunday. Experts at the Hubei Meteorological Bureau say the region will experience its fifth round, and if it's lucky, its LAST round of snow between the 4th and 5th of February. Sunny weather will follow and temperatures will finally begin to rise. People across the province can expect a warm Spring Festival Holiday.

Editor:Zhang Ning