China snow leaves millions in cold and dark

GUANGZHOU, China (Reuters) – Millions of Chinese faced a humanitarian crisis on Friday, as petrol and food reserves dwindled and yet more bad weather was forecast for a country paralyzed by record-breaking cold and snow.

More than 160 counties and cities in central China were suffering blackouts and water shortages, Xinhua news agency said, including Chenzhou, in Hunan province, a city of 4 million that has been without power and water for more than a week.


“Many trees are severed and power lines have collapsed. It’s like we have experienced an air raid or lost a battle,” a Chenzhou hotel worker told Reuters by telephone. “It is a complete mess. We are hungry and cold.”

Some 250,000 troops had been mobilized as of Friday to help with disaster relief and the army sent an armored personnel carrier to clear one ice-covered highway, Xinhua said, as millions geared up for a cold, dark Chinese New Year next week.

Reuters