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Relief efforts stepped up in snow-hit Xinjiang
(Xinhua)
Updated: 2006-01-08 11:09
Blizzard-hit Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region has been
taking emergent measures to help the herdsmen and their livestock out of
difficulties.
Chinese soldiers clear snow around a stranded
truck in northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, January 5,
2006. [Newsphoto] |
Most parts of Xinjiang had been hit by continuous heavy snowfall amid drastic
temperature drops since December 29 last year, leaving herdsmen and their
livestock stranded in winter pastures.
Altay Prefecture was most seriously affected. The snow, about 40 centimeters
thick, prevented the livestock at the winter pastures from finding sufficient
food, according to the local government.
The local government in Altay has been organizing various departments to help
the stranded herdsmen and their livestock back to their residential areas or
safe places, said Zaken, an official with Altay Prefecture.
Most livestock are moving to safe areas and only some weak ones died half way
in the blizzards, said Hanbar, a herdsman in Fuyun County, one of the most
seriously affected counties in Altay.
Rescuers have prepared dry dung of cow and sheep for the livestock to rest on
so that they would not rest in snow and this is very considerate since livestock
would die if their legs got hurt and they could not stand up and move forward in
snow, said Ziahemaiti, a local herdsman in Fuyun County.
The county has sent 1.5 million yuan (US$187,500) in relief, 1,000 tons of
feedstuff and 300 tons of flour to the affected areas. Soldiers and local
traffic department have got through most blocked herding passages to help
herdsmen and livestock return to their residential areas.
According to the regional disaster relief authorities, 97,000 people have so
far been evacuated from the blizzard-hit areas, with their livelihood properly
arranged.
The local governments of Tacheng, Bortala, Changji and Hami have allocated
cotton tents and clothes to the disaster-stricken areas.
Meteorologists said no more heavy snowfall is expected for the region in the
coming week.
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