Chinese officials are scrambling to try to straighten out transportation chaos and major disruptions in energy and food supplies ahead of a major national holiday. Why, you ask?
BEIJING (Reuters) – China on Sunday ordered urgent steps to fight transport chaos and threats to energy and food supplies caused by brutal winter weather that forecasters said will continue as the nation heads into a major holiday.
The cold spell has lashed central, eastern and southern China in recent days, bringing heavy snow and sleet to provinces used to milder winters. Dozens of people have died, and many roads, railways and airports have been paralyzed.Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao said the chaotic weather was threatening lives and straining supplies of fresh food, coal, oil and electricity ahead of holidays marking the Lunar New Year, which starts on February 7.
"Urgently mobilize and work as one to wage this tough battle against disaster," Wen told officials, according to the transcript on the government Web site (www.gov.cn). "Ensure that the people enjoy a joyful and auspicious Spring Festival."
He and other senior officials announced steps aimed at softening the economic blow from the bad weather.
Provinces must share coal and electricity, officials would waive some transport charges for farm goods and they would keep a close eye on price hikes. Train services must also be able to cope with tens of millions of passengers heading home for the holidays, while more coal must be found for power plants.
But the government's chief weather forecaster, Yang Guiming, said the harsh weather was likely to continue, the China News Service reported.
"There's no room for optimism about this abnormal rain and snow weather across the country over the next week," he said.
How bad is it? Well, homes have collapsed under the weight of snow and ice. Power lines have snapped and the government is taking the drastic step of reopening coal mines currently closed for safety reasons. The worst has not even hit yet according to the government. How extensive is the snow? Well, the Rutgers Global Snow Lab shows the majority of China is currently covered in the white stuff. Closer to home, the West Coast is being pummeled by yet another major storm with heavy rains and blizzard conditions at higher elevations. There is a brief warming trend forecast for the nation's midsection, but the arctic cold will return early next week, just in time for the remains of the systems pounding the West Coast to arrive in the heartland.
The last two days have been very nice. 50ish. Some snow has disappeared though we are still mostly covered.
The Climate Change Fanatics are claiming that el nina is why North America is cold this year. How does that explain China?
That Global Warming is a bear (polar, one each).