The Chinese public had pledged donations of 480 million yuan (US$67 million) to help people in areas affected by severe winter weather by Monday, according to the Ministry of Civil Affairs (MOCA).

Donations received and distributed by the ministry totaled 45.81 million yuan.

Donations arranged by China Red Cross Society (CRCS) and China Charity Federation (CCF) for the stricken areas have risen to 59.52 million yuan and 42 million yuan, respectively.

The donations, cash or materials, will be used to help stranded passengers, or assist local governments in reconstruction work, or purchase daily necessities for workers who fail to get back to their families during the Spring Festival.

Some funds from private companies will be used to provide jobs for snowstorm victims.

The unexpected snow, the heaviest in five decades in many places, has been falling in China's eastern, central and southern regions for almost three weeks. It has caused deaths, building collapses, blackouts, traffic accidents and livestock and crop losses.