First major blizzard of this season in China, record snowfall expected

The first major blizzard of the season brought heavy snowfall to China’s northeastern region, closing schools and halting transportation. Major highways were closed and flights were canceled in the northeastern city of Harbin, the capital of Heilongjiang province, while elementary and middle schools also canceled classes.

The National Meteorological Center said snowfall during the same period is likely to break historical records.

Heavy snowfall is expected to continue in parts of Inner Mongolia, Heilongjiang, Jilin and Liaoning provinces.

Delivery trucks were also spread up to 1 kilometer (0.6 mi) outside the city.

Chaoyang city in Liaoning province and Chifeng in Inner Mongolia province also closed their schools and kindergartens.

China’s weather authorities issued an orange alert, the second highest alert on a scale of four.

China’s official Xinhua news agency said eight people have died and one is missing in a snowstorm that has hit central Mongolia since last Friday.

Rescue workers are searching for 46 people after a snowstorm hit several Mongolian provinces, Xinhua said, adding that 37 of those missing have been found.

Xinhua said the worst-hit areas in central Mongolia were covered with snow up to 34 cm (13.4 inches) thick.

The news agency said blizzards were expected to continue in the coming week across much of Mongolia, including the capital Ulaanbaatar.

Local herders, construction workers and drivers were urged to take extra precautions against possible disasters.