❄️ Snow alert! A powerful blizzard rolled into the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region in the northwest of the Chinese mainland this week, dumping heavy snow and slicking roads from Urumqi to Shihezi.
Traffic Chaos and Clean-up Crews
In Urumqi, a thick layer of snow made streets slippery and traffic crawl. Sanitation workers and plows have been working around the clock to clear main roads, while smaller machines and manual crews tackle sidewalks and alleyways.
Qin Jianbo, instructor of the Shuiqu Brigade at the Urumqi Traffic Police Detachment, said a Level-1 emergency response was activated, with patrols focusing on accident-prone spots to keep vehicles moving safely.
City-wide Response
West of Urumqi, Shihezi’s coordinated operations use teams of four to five large plows on major roads, and sanitation staff clearing harder-to-reach areas by hand.
Transport Disruptions
Both road and rail travel have been hit. Major highways face partial or full traffic controls, and several passenger trains were canceled starting Wednesday. At Urumqi’s stations, anti-slip mats and warmer waiting halls (raised to above 20°C) help travelers stay safe and cozy.
Keeping Warm
Temperatures plunged to −10 to −15°C across much of Xinjiang. Heating companies, like Urumqi Huayuan Heating Co., boosted network output and increased inspections to ensure indoor temps stay above 20°C.
More snow and further drops to around −15°C are forecast for the coming days, so residents and travelers are urged to stay updated and travel with caution.
Reference(s):
Cold front hit: Blizzard hits Xinjiang in NW China, impacts transport
cgtn.com
