97,000 evacuated from blizzard-hit Xinjiang (Xinhua) Updated: 2006-01-07 14:15 Most parts of northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur
Autonomous Region had been hit by continuous heavy snowfall amid drastic
temperature drops since Dec. 29 last year, leaving herdsmen and their livestock
stranded, local authorities said on Saturday.
According to the regional disaster relief authorities, 97,000 people have so
far been evacuated from the blizzard-affected areas, with their livelihood
properly arranged.
The authorities said the heavy snowfall has affected some 622,000 people in
Altay, Tacheng and Ili prefectures of northern Xinjiang, stranding 224,800
people and killing 9,234 heads of livestock.
Chinese soldiers clear snow around a stranded
truck in northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, January 5,
2006. [Reuters] | As two of the worst affected areas, Fuyun and Qinghe of Altay recorded an
accumulated snowfall of more than 60 cm, with the thickness of the snow reaching
one meter in some mountainous areas.
About 6,000 people suffered from various diseases, and 300,000 heads of
livestock faced the threat of starvation, said the regional civil affairs
bureau.
The Chinese Ministry of Civil Affairs has sent officials to the region to
guide local relief efforts.
The local governments of Tacheng, Bortala, Changji and Hami have allocated
cotton tents and clothes to the disaster-stricken areas.
Meteorologists said no more heavy snowfall is expected for the region in the
coming week.
Winter is usually a harsh season for Xinjiang's 19.6 million
people.
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