Snow comes back to blizzard-hit southwest Qinghai
XINING, March 2 (Xinhua) -- The blizzard-ravaged Yushu Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, northwest China's Qinghai Province, is expecting two more bouts of snow next week.
According to local meteorological bureau, the prefecture will have to brace for snow and temperature drop from March 1 to 7. Moderate snow is forecast in the blizzard-affected Qumalai County between March 4 to 6.
Snowstorms have hit the prefecture since December 28, with some areas covered under snow nearly half a meter deep. It snowed again from Feb. 21 to 28.
The snowstorms have affected 120,000 people and more than 1 million livestock, and led to the death of more than 26,000 livestock and 219 wild animals. The direct economic losses are estimated to be 84.3 million yuan (12.6 million U.S. dollars).
More than 4,600 people and 72,000 livestock have been relocated, and 39,000 tons of fodder transported to the snow-hit areas as of Feb. 28.
Tsertra, deputy director of the Yushu Disaster Relief Work and Emergency Headquarters, said that relief work was kept in order and sufficient supplies were well-allocated. Artery roads have been kept clear, with only a few paths in remote villages yet to be reopened.
Relief work may face pressure if it keeps snowing heavily, according to local authorities.