Intense blizzard strands 542 passengers in Xinjiang, China
Featured image: A major blizzard strands vehicles in Xinjiang, China, November 11 and 12, 2016. Image credit: Chinanews.com (@PDChina)
An intense blizzard hit the northwest Xinjiang, China on November 11, 2016, causing reduced visibility and major traffic disruptions in the region.
The blizzard reportedly caused between 0.6 and 1 m (1.96 and 3.28 feet) deep snow drifts and low visibility conditions on the highways in Maytas and Tiechanggou, Xinjiang in a period between November 11 and 12.
542 people, 145 vehicles evacuated after being trapped in blizzard in China's Xinjiang. Rescue work takes 13 hours https://t.co/Z1Wwj7dnJf pic.twitter.com/czNHFAbmJQ
— China Xinhua News (@XHNews) November 13, 2016
Rescuers have evacuated 542 passengers to safety after they were trapped in a blizzard in northwest China's Xinjiang https://t.co/mDGqGCCU9q pic.twitter.com/6GOwNcdnD2
— People's Daily,China (@PDChina) November 13, 2016
The stormy conditions have stranded 145 vehicles and 542 passengers. According to local highway official, a rescue operation lasted for 13 hours, and all the passengers were successfully evacuated.
According to Xinhua news agency, the region is well known for major blizzards and intense winds which often cause traffic disruptions, force road closures and leave people stranded.
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