2008 Chinese winter storms

Cold snap and blizzard

The severe winter events started on 10 January when a large dome of cold air enveloped most parts of China, causing much precipitation in the form of heavy snow west of the coastal areas, where the temperature dropped to slightly below 0 °C (32 °F). The provinces of Hunan, Hubei, Henan, Shandong, Jiangsu, Anhui, and the municipality of Shanghai were hardest hit. Some received their worst snowstorms in seventeen years while some experienced their worst in five decades. After the first wave of precipitation had passed, the snow continued to fall for several days, accompanied by bitterly cold weather.{{cite news |url-status=usurped |archive-url=https://archive.today/20070623032604/http://cnews.canoe.ca/CNEWS/World/2008/01/20/4784056-ap.html |archive-date=2007-06-23

Snow was even reported in the country's largest true desert, the Taklamakan, where the snow and record low temperatures near -25 C lasted 11 consecutive days and killed livestock. At one point, the temperature dropped to -32 C, breaking the January 2006 record of -26.1 C. However, the historical temperature series in this observatory is very short (started in 1996). The snow depth exceeded 4 cm at times in the center of the desert according to the Tazhong Observatory. According to Xinhua, it was the first time that snow covered the entire desert simultaneously.{{cite news | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080208090206/http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2008-02/01/content_7544946.htm | url-status = dead | archive-date = February 8, 2008

Causes

According to scientists at China's National Climate Center and the United Nations' Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), these winter storms in China have been mainly related to abnormal atmospheric circulation and La Niña, and are not directly linked to climate change.{{cite news | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080206171303/http://uk.reuters.com/article/homepageCrisis/idUKSYD222109.CH.242020080131 | url-status = dead | archive-date = 6 February 2008

Effects

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Damage

The snowstorm caused extensive damage to many low-rise buildings, the roofs of which collapsed, killing occupants inside. It was estimated that about 223,000 homes were destroyed and 862,000 others were damaged. CNN also reported that a 500 meter-long auto plant in Xiangtan had its entire roof collapse.{{cite news | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080205054442/http://edition.cnn.com/2008/WORLD/asiapcf/02/04/china.weather/index.html | url-status = dead | archive-date = February 5, 2008 |access-date = 2008-02-02 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080213035103/http://www.allheadlinenews.com/articles/7009905178 |archive-date = 2008-02-13 |url-status = dead

The power system of China was also severely affected by adverse conditions. Widespread power outages were reported. In Chenzhou, which has a population of 4.6 million, it was reported that the entire city had no power or water for nearly two weeks, including government buildings and hospitals, while telecommunications cables and Internet networks were also damaged.{{cite news

The snowstorm also damaged water supply equipment. For instance, in Wuhan, up to 100,000 people were out of running water when several water pipes burst, cutting the supply to local households. In the Guangxi region, about 239,000 were also having problems accessing drinking water.{{cite news In addition, 870,000 pigs, 450,000 sheep, and 85,000 head of cattle were killed by the storm. The freak storms were especially painful because they hit warmer parts of China that have little experience with snow. Many communities lacked the necessary equipment to handle the heavy snowfall.

Transportation

Transportation was also heavily affected as the storms hit during the busiest travelling season of the year, Chunyun, preceding the Lunar New Year. Nearly 180 million people travel throughout the country during the holiday.{{cite news | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080214033133/http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/20080129/china_bus_080129/20080129?hub=World | url-status = dead | archive-date = February 14, 2008

Railway

Heavy snow damaged the Jingguang railway from Beijing to Guangzhou. Tens of thousands of people (on occasion as many as 500,000 to 800,000 at once) were left stranded at several railway stations across southern China, including Guangzhou railway station. It was estimated that nearly 6 million railway passengers in total were stranded during the period while about 8,000 cargo trains were delayed.{{cite news

Red banners were installed at one station encouraging some travelers to abandon their travel plans, and nearly half a million cancelled their trips after lengthy waits. Xinhua reported that 11 million migrant workers in the Guangdong area received ticket refunds. Most of the rail service resumed on 31 January, but heavy fog on 3 February caused further delays, particularly in Hunan. The lengthy delays occasionally caused clashes between travelers, police, and soldiers.{{cite news |access-date = 2008-02-02 |archive-url = https://archive.today/20080201030516/http://cnews.canoe.ca/CNEWS/World/2008/01/22/4786966-ap.html |archive-date = 2008-02-01 |url-status = usurped | archive-url =https://web.archive.org/web/20080203172313/http://edition.cnn.com/2008/WORLD/asiapcf/01/31/china.weather.trains.ap/index.html | url-status =dead | archive-date =February 3, 2008

Highway

Several main highways including in Shanxi and Henan as well as Jingzhu Expressway, the main highway connecting the capital Beijing and Guangdong province, were shut down. Seven of the eight highways connecting Hunan and Guangdong were closed, and all public highways in Anhui were closed. The road closures disrupted the transportation of goods across several areas of the country where there were concerns of significant food shortage as the storm also did significant damage to crops.

Water transport

Water transportation was also affected as 10 boats at the Shanghai port which contained goods were stuck and unable to unload because of the snow.{{cite news | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080131025439/http://www.iht.com/articles/2008/01/28/business/28chinasnow.php | archive-date = 31 January 2008

Airport

About 60,000 bus riders were stranded on various highways, and 19 major airports in 10 cities were also closed at one point. 10,000 at Baiyun Airport in Guangzhou were stranded after 55 flights were cancelled. In total, about 3,250 flights were cancelled and another 5,550 were delayed. All provincial bus services in Jiangxi were halted. The Chinese Public Safety Ministry mentioned that about 1 million police officers were dispatched to keep the roadways open but numerous trucks were stranded in many areas. 100 diesel locomotives were also dispatched to get stranded trains back into service.{{cite news

Fatalities

According to CNN, 63 were killed as of 31 January due to the effects of the storm, many of them because of the cold or collapsed roofs. The toll later rose to at least 107, according to Xinhua. Among the fatalities, 11 were killed in a bus accident in Anhui in which the bus flipped into a ditch on January 21.{{cite news

Economic impact and costs

The Chinese economy, which has experienced rapid growth over the past thirty years, was also affected by the winter event. According to the BBC, the country's civil affairs ministry estimated that the costs to the country's economy were about 54 billion Chinese yuan but the cost rose to 80 billion yuan as of February 7.{{cite news

Analysts also mentioned that extensive loss of crops (of over 40,000 km²) including fresh vegetables and fruit resulted in substantial inflation of food prices. At least 11 provinces reported significant price increases after the loss of millions of crops. The price for box lunches increased fivefold across many areas in the aftermath. During the month of January, the country's producer price index hit a three-year high with a rise of 6.1%, including a nearly 30% surge in crude prices, nearly 9% in fuel, raw materials, and power prices, and a 7 to 10% increase in diesel oil, kerosene, and gasoline prices. In addition, food prices climbed by 10% to as much as 18% during the month and significantly affected the Consumer Price Index (CPI). The inflation rate itself reached 7.1%, the highest since September 1996 when it hit 7.4%.{{cite news

In addition, productivity at numerous factories was affected. Among them, steel and aluminum production was scaled back due to a significant shortage of raw materials, and a loss of production of about 50,000 tonnes of lead and zinc was forecasted in Hunan. Telecom companies had significant repair costs as about 10,000 kilometers of lines were affected. The Ministry of Information Industry mentioned that this has affected 33 million users and cost at least 80 million yuan up until 27 January. Other sectors affected were hotels, airlines, and auto sales while other businesses had a disruption in the supply of products because of transportation delays. The Chinese government mentioned that the storm would not have a significant long-term effect on the general economy but would not be without significant short-term problems.{{cite news | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080513175308/http://www.atimes.com/atimes/China_Business/JA30Cb01.html | url-status = unfit | archive-date = 2008-05-13

The winter weather may have been responsible for a 7% drop in the Shanghai Composite Index due to concerns about the effects of transport breakdowns and power shortages. However, the storms happened at the same time as significant worldwide stock market volatility was occurring due to concerns of a recession in the United States. Energy-related stocks rose as much as 23% due to the rise in profits because of the weather woes.

Government response

The winter storms marked the largest national mass mobilization since the 2003 SARS crisis and are comparable in size to the relief efforts of the 1998 Yangtze River Floods. Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao issued an apology to citizens regarding the situation in a publicly-televised appearance at a railway station in Changsha, Hunan.{{cite news

About 300,000 troops and 1.1 million reservists were deployed to assist relief efforts and snow removal across various parts of affected regions. The government also announced a $700 million (2008 USD) plan for helping farmers who had their crops destroyed by the winter weather.{{cite news | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080207213717/http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2008-02/02/content_7547621.htm | url-status = dead | archive-date = February 7, 2008

There were also reports that China would invest significantly in better forecasting and cooperation between weather departments in the event of future storms as there were reports of criticism of the weather agencies. According to the China Meteorological Administration, there are plans to invest nearly 2 billion yuan (US$300 million) for the improvement of the weather forecasting work, which was reportedly approved by the State Council.{{cite news | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080203133102/http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2008-01/30/content_7525248.htm | url-status = dead | archive-date = February 3, 2008

In addition, several weather experts from the meteorological office said that the country was not properly prepared to face a winter weather event of this magnitude. Some had praised northern parts of the country for their emergency plans in unusual weather. but have criticized those from the southern parts. The Chinese Meteorological Administration also added that officials were not expecting such a lengthy episode of severe winter weather with an extensive impact across a large area.{{cite news

Foreign and interior aid

The Red Cross Society of China reported that they received at least 60 million yuan in donations and provided donations of food, medicine, quilts, coats, and tents. In addition, some other events, including an opera performance, raised additional funds for the areas affected.{{cite news | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080208161720/http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2008-02/06/content_7577025.htm | url-status = dead | archive-date = February 8, 2008

• Mongolian government has offered US$43,000 in aid for snow disaster relief.{{cite news | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080213124336/http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2008-02/06/content_7578228.htm | url-status = dead | archive-date = February 13, 2008
• Singaporean government pledged US$500,000 in emergency aid to China's foreign ministry.{{cite news | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080209223524/http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2008-02/04/content_7566822.htm | url-status = dead | archive-date = February 9, 2008
• Syrian government pledged US$100,000 in emergency aid to China.{{cite news | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080213112205/http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2008-02/05/content_7575018.htm | url-status = dead | archive-date = February 13, 2008
• United States government has said it will give US$150,000 in emergency aid to China via the Chinese Red Cross.
• Hong Kong and Macau donated a significant amount to the relief crisis. Local newspapers in the Special administrative region tried to increase the people's awareness of donations. On March 7, 2008, the PRC paramount leader Hu Jintao publicly responded and thanked the region in a 15-minute speech.

References

References

1. {{in lang. zh[http://news.sina.com.cn/c/2008-02-23/110515001984.shtml 129 People Killed, 4 Missing in Winter Storms], [[Xinhua News Agency]], February 23, 2008.
2. In addition, {{convert. 18600000. acre. ha. 6800000. acre. ha. 11500000. acre. ha. 15000. acre. ha
3. Singtao newspaper February 6, 2008. Section A-14.
4. link. (2009-04-15 ." ''Unite the people, Hu tells HK delegates.'' Retrieved on 2008-03-06.)
5. link. (2012-12-17 ." ''CLP Pledges HK$1 million Towards Snow Storm Relief Efforts in Mainland China.'' Retrieved on 2008-02-17.)