Cold wave sweeps across China

BEIJING -- Most parts of China will experience a rapid drop in temperatures together with snow and rain in coming days as a strong cold front is on the way to hit.

The National Meteorological Center said temperatures will drop sharply in northwestern, northern and northeastern China, with temperatures in some areas down by 10 to 14 degrees Celsius.

The center warned of snow and rain in central and eastern provinces, which will see their coldest days so far this winter.

Meteorological authorities in eastern Jiangxi Province forecast a cold snap from Wednesday, adding rain and snow to the coldest week since 1992.

Sleet, or freezing rain, is forecast to hit southwest China's Guizhou Province from Thursday to Saturday.

The power network load hit a record winter high of 16.6 million kwh Monday evening in Beijing as this winter's freezing weather drives demand for electric heating, according to the city's State Grid office.

The company has arranged for over 2,700 electricians and 465 repair vehicles on standby, as well as 15 emergency dynamo vans in case of power failure.