Heavy snowfall affects 2.3 million people, kills 21 and destroys 700 homes, China

Two rounds of very heavy snowfall hit China's eastern and central regions since January 2, 2018, with freezing rain in Guizhou, Hunan and Jiangxi. 21 people were killed and millions affected, as of January 8, 2018.

Heavy snowfall affecting the provinces of Anhui, Jiangsu, Henan, Hubei, Hunan, Shaanxi, Shanxi, and Chongqing Municipality destroyed over 700 houses and damaged nearly 2 800, China's Ministry of Civil Affairs said.

In total, 2.3 million people were affected, 21 died, 3 700 were evacuated and relocated and 14 000 needed emergency life assistance, the ministry said. 

Severe weather affected 233 100 ha (576 000 acres) of crops, of which it destroyed 81 000 ha (200 155 acres).

The direct economic loss, since January 2, is US $854 million (5.5 billion yuan).

The worst affected is Anhui province, where heavy snowfall affected 1.5 million people and killed 18. 300 houses in the province collapsed and 1 100 were damaged.

Heavy snowfall continued wreaking havoc on Monday, January 8.

The snowstorms are considered the worst the country has seen since 2008.

Featured image credit: Star Online, CCTV