Snowstorms destroyed over 12,000 houses in Xinjiang
Posted on March 30, 2010 by admin
A total of 12,049 houses have been destroyed by recent snowstorms that have hit the last weekend the district of Yining in Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, northwest China, said Monday the local authorities.
The snowfall, which lasted from Saturday to Sunday, causing economic losses estimated at 3.6 million yuan ($ 530,000), said a district government official.
The storm that hit the northern part of Xinjiang from Saturday night forced the closure of a section of national highway No. 312 in Ili Prefecture on Sunday morning, as was covered by a layer of snow 50 inches thick.
More than 200 people were rescued after becoming trapped in the snowstorm for eight hours.
The heavy snowfalls that have hit the region since February 1, have affected nearly 87,000 people and 6800 head of cattle killed in the district.
Floods and landslides caused by storms have blocked 26 kilometers of roads and damaged another 22.5 miles to date.
The regional meteorological bureau has forecast rain and heavy snow for Monday, which could trigger more landslides and avalanches. (Xinhua)
