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China battles "coldest
winter in 100 years"
John Ruwitch
Reuters
Monday February 4, 2008
Millions remained stranded in China on Monday ahead of the biggest
holiday of the year as parts of the country suffered their coldest
winter in a century.
Freezing weather has killed scores of people and left travelers
stranded before the Lunar New Year, or Spring Festival -- the
only opportunity many people have to take a holiday all year.
It has also brought China unwanted negative publicity six months
before the Summer Olympics in Beijing.
President Hu Jintao chaired an emergency Politburo meeting on
Sunday for the second time in a week to discuss rescue efforts.
(Article continues below)
"We have to be clear-minded that the inclement weather and
severe disaster will continue to plague certain regions in the
south," said a statement issued after Sunday's meeting. "Relief
work will continue to face challenges, posing a tough task."
The China Meteorological Administration said the weather was
the coldest in 100 years in central Hubei and Hunan provinces,
going by the total number of consecutive days of average temperature
less than 1 degree Celsius (33.8 degrees Fahrenheit).
But it expected brighter weather ahead, though fog could become
a problem and temperatures at night would likely still be below
freezing, slowing the thaw.
"The weather over the disaster-stricken regions is likely
to turn better in the next several days, but it is still necessary
to remain alert for possible low temperatures, frozen rain, snow,
freezing and heavy fog," said administration head Zheng Guoguang.
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INFOWARS:
BECAUSE THERE'S A WAR ON FOR YOUR MIND
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