Chinese authorities on Wednesday renewed an orange weather warning – the highest level in a three-tier system – for some southern regions, with already freezing temperatures expected to drop further.
Large swathes of China have been hit by a cold snap this week, with temperatures in some areas in the south expected to drop by up to 20 degrees Celsius (36 degrees Fahrenheit), according to the National Meteorological Center (NMC).
The National Center of Meteorology expected sub-zero temperatures in the coming days throughout the central region of the country, in the east, north, and northwest, as well as in parts of the south.
The National Meteorological Center “called on local governments to take necessary precautions against cold weather, advised the public to keep warm, and called for taking necessary measures to protect crops and aquatic products,” Xinhua News Agency said.
Highways in Beijing were closed
According to state television CCTV, authorities in the capital Beijing closed eight highways, with up to 4.1 cm (1.6 inches) of snow falling in some suburban areas.
“It is recommended that residents…switch their travel, use public buses and subways, drive their cars slowly, and pay attention to safety,” the city administration said in an online statement on Tuesday evening.
China Central Television said nearly 200 sections of roads were closed across the country due to bad weather.
The bout of icy weather in China is expected to continue until Monday.
tj/nm (Reuters, AFP)
