Snow storm hits China’s quake zone
By IANSThursday, April 22, 2010
BEIJING - Heavy snow and strong winds hit China’s quake-affected northwestern Qinghai province Thursday, making life difficult for rescuers and quake survivors.
Snow started falling at around 5.05 a.m. local time in Gyegu town, epicentre of the 7.1 magnitude quake that killed over 2,000 people in the Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture of Yushu.
The devastating quake that occurred April 14 left at 2,183 people dead, while 12,135 people were injured.
The snow that covered the township was more than three cm thick as of 8 a.m., Tsering Tashi, deputy head of Yushu’s meteorological bureau, was quoted as saying by Xinhua.
Though it is expected to stop Thursday afternoon, more snow is forecast for Friday and Saturday.
Roads to the quake zone were totally covered with snow, affecting transportation of relief material. Survivors were taking shelter from the freezing gale in tents set up behind the debris of the devastated town, situated about 4,000 metres above sea level.
