Traffic turns better as weather improves

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Source: CCTV.com | 02-05-2008 08:36

Parts of China are experiencing a temporary break in the traffic chaos caused by the worst snow storms in 50 years. Forcasters say the situation is expected to improve for some areas over the next few days.

Parts of China are experiencing a temporary break in the traffic chaos caused by the worst snow storms in 50 years. Forcasters say the situation is expected to improve for some areas over the next few days.

The country has had an encouraging glimpse of improved weather with fewer reports of cancelled flights, and more resumed trains and bus services.

On Monday, over 4 million passengers traveled by rail on more than 500 temporary train services.

At Beijing's West Railway Station alone, 180,000 passengers began their journey home.

Railway services are resuming in Shanghai and Guangzhou.

Most airports are operating smoothly. 600 flights have been added transiting passengers around the clock.

To help ease pressure, cars travelling on the Jiangxi section of the Beijing-Zhuhai Expressway, have been allowed to pass through free of charge.

In Hubei province, the number of stranded passengers has decreased by 80 percent at the Wuchang Railway Station.

In neighboring Hunan, staff at Chenzhou City's power grid are working all through the night to repair power lines. It's expected that one third of the city will be back to normal over the next two days.

Most highways in Guizhou have re-opened. People have access to daily necessities, despite water shortages and power cuts.

Continuing snow storms are still affecting people's daily lives in Jiangxi Province. Local officials are organizing relief efforts for residents and those affected have received nationwide emergency donations.

The central government has ordered more disaster relief efforts. It is urging the resumption of power to disaster-hit regions at a quicker pace.

Ministries of Finance and Civil Affairs are raising temporary subsidies for the poor in disaster-hit regions to help them cope with price increases of daily necessities.

The government is urging local authorities to take good care of the millions of migrant workers who have been stranded for days, and to provide accommodation and food for those still stranded in railway and bus stations, ports and airports.

The week long holiday starts on Wednesday, when most of southern China will have fine weather, although with low temperatures and some fog.

Affected areas are advised to use the fine weather as an opportunity to fully restore energy and power, and speed up relief and reconstruction efforts.

The fine weather in northern China also means the transportation of goods and energy to the south can continue.

Editor:Zhang Ning