Snowstorms cause traffic disruptions across Inner Mongolia

By Zhao Xiao (chinadaily.com.cn)

Updated: 2017-02-23

Overpasses are closed due to the snowfall in Hohhot on Feb 21. [Photo/nmgnews.com.cn]

Snowstorms across Inner Mongolia caused disruptions to road and air traffic in the early morning of Feb 21. Several arterial highways and roads were closed, and the snow created hazardous driving conditions in downtown areas in many cities.

After the snowfalls, the average temperature in Hohhot fell by 4 to 6 C, with a level 4 northerly wind blowing across the city and causing many roads to become icy and bringing on inconvenience to residents, according to the local weather department.

There were 11 arterial highways in the Hohhot area closed, including the Beijing-Tibet, Beijing-Xinjiang and Hohhot-Beihai expressways. Public bicycle services were also suspended.

The Hohhot Coach Station remained open for passengers to return tickets due to the cancellation of all services. About 148 routes at the Linhe Bus Station were suspended.

Baita International Airport in Hohhot delayed about 70 flights. As the snowfalls stopped in the afternoon, many flights took off as scheduled.

Traffic workers remain on guard during the snowstorm. [Photo/northnews.cn]

The Hohhot public security department said that about 72 traffic accidents occurred during the storms.

The Hohhot sanitation department dispatched nearly 3,000 sanitation workers to shovel and clear snow at 4 am. Meanwhile, and more than 300 snow ploughs cleared the main streets, said Chen Juan, head of the department.

In addition, the snowfalls caused the closure of coaches, highways, and flights in Baotou. Trains at Baotou Railway Station were delayed for extended periods, stranding hundreds of passengers at the station. High-speed bullet trains to and from Baotou ran normally, and passengers were able to transfer or rebook tickets easily, according to station officials.

During the day, vehicles insurance claims totalled 134 in Hohhot, an increase of 20 percent over normal figures. The number of claims also increased in Xilin Gol League and Chifeng city, according to Wu Qiang, a manager from an insurance company.

To ensure school safety, education departments in Baotou and Ordos suspended classes at preschools, and primary and junior middle schools.

A traffic policewoman stands on guard at an intersection in Hohhot on Feb 21. [Photo/nmgnews.com.cn]

People wait at a bus station in Hohhot during a heavy snowfall on Feb 21. [Photo/nmgnews.com.cn]