An unexpected summer snowstorm hit Xinjiang, China, on June 29, 2020, resulting in traffic disruption, more than 400 tourists stranded, and deaths of nearly 500 livestock.
Herdsmen in Tekes County in the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region have suffered heavy losses after the blizzard caused 494 livestock animals to freeze to death, most of which were sheep.
According to CCTV News Agency, the losses have reached nearly 141 300 dollars or 1 million yuan.
The local government promptly activated emergency plans and ordered officials to assist affected herdsmen in relocating their livestock.
In Nilka County, Kazak Autonomous Prefecture, heavy snow disrupted traffic.
More than 400 tourists and 130 vehicles were left stranded either in the Tangbra Mountain or on the Dushanzi-Kuche Highway, which runs through the Tianshan Mountain.
China is currently in a grip of natural disasters-- more than one million have been affected by severe flooding in Hubei, as of July 1.
A massive sandstorm hit the city of Hotan on June 30, while Yichang recorded its heaviest rainfall in 20 years on the same day.
Featured image credit: CCTV Video News Agency/YouTube
Yakutia sees longest cold spell in 14 years as Siberia quivers through abnormally harsh temperatures
January 19, 2021
The Siberian region of Yakutia has shivered through its longest cold spell in 14 years, with temperatures plunging below -40 °C (-40 °F) during the middle of December 2020. The area is currently in the grip of an abnormally long period of harsh cold that is...
Heavy snowfall causes massive pileup of 130 vehicles in northeastern Japan
January 19, 2021
At least one person died while 10 others sustained injuries as heavy snowfall blanketed wide areas of northeastern Japan, resulting in a multiple-vehicular accident on Tuesday, January 19, 2021. More than 130 vehicles and some 200 people were involved in the pileup...
Heavy snow leaves 7 000 households without power across Sweden and Finland
January 15, 2021
Around 4 000 households were left without electricity supply in Finland and another 3 000 in Sweden on Wednesday, January 13, 2021, after heavy snowfall struck the region. In Sweden, about 3 000 homes were affected by power outages, according to Eon, noting that...
M6.1 earthquake hits off the coast of Isangel, Vanuatu
January 08, 2021
A strong earthquake registered by the USGS as M6.1 hit off the coast of Isangel, Vanuatu at 05:01 UTC on January 8, 2021. The agency is reporting a depth of 117 km (72 miles). EMSC is reporting M6.1 at a depth of 120 km (75 miles). The epicenter was located 147 km...
M6.3 earthquake hits Kermadec Islands, New Zealand
January 08, 2021
A strong earthquake registered by the USGS as M6.3 hit the Kermadec Islands, New Zealand at 00:28 UTC on January 8, 2021. The agency is reporting a depth of 224 km (139 miles). EMSC is reporting M6.3 at a depth of 182 km (113 miles). This is the second M6+...
