KnightFlyer

Chinese workers and army soldiers were racing to sweep snow-covered highways and unclog railway routes for millions of travelers trapped by cold weather.

Souzhou, China, is blanketed by the most snow the city has had in 25 years, according to I-Reporter Susan Arthur.

More than 67 million people have been affected by the weather and economic losses are expected to reach as much as $3 billion, Chinese officials say.

Blizzards have snapped power lines and destroyed houses and farmland, prompting fears of food and energy shortages. Twenty-four people have died and some 827,000 people have been evacuated in 14 different provinces, the Ministry of Civil Affairs said Monday.

In the past week, the snowstorms have hit the provinces in central, eastern and southern China -- places that are used to mild winters, not extreme wintry blasts.

"We've never seen such a cold weather lasting for such long a time," said Tang Shan, a man in his 70s in Changsha, the capital of Hunan province. "The last time we had one here was over 50 years ago, and not this bad."

The snow and sleet have paralyzed roads, railways and airports, leaving tens of millions of travelers marooned, officials say. Many of them are bound for home ahead of the traditional Lunar New Year, also known as the Spring Festival, which falls on February 7. Watch how the snowstorms have resulted in transit chaos »

For several days before and after that day, an estimated 178 million Chinese will travel by train, and 22 million more by plane, officials say. Millions more will take long-haul vans and buses.

The Lunar New Year travel is China's busiest travel period of the year. But the cold snap is hampering travel plans. Railway and highway routes have been brought to a standstill, several regional airports have been closed and many provinces have imposed power "brownouts" to conserve energy.

On Hunan's major highways, more than 60,000 bus riders were stranded because of icy roads.

In the southern city of Guangzhou, as many as 500,000 train passengers were stranded the past few days when a power failure in neighboring Hunan province crippled the regular train services, local officials said. About 100,000 passengers packed the square in front of the train station while others found shelter in schools and other public buildings while waiting for their trains.

But more miserable weather is expected. China's weather bureau Monday issued a rare "red alert," warning of more severe snowstorms in the coming days. If so, the number of stranded travelers will surely swell.

MajorKong

I need help. AlGore just got an award for claiming Global Warming was ruining the planet. Why do we keep having these record winters? I'm so confused. Maybe, he should have claimed that because of what we are doing to the environment, the Earth is heading for another Ice Age.

FDXLAG

There is your problem. It is no longer Global Warming, we now call it Climate Change. The means in a couple of months as the climate gets warmer we can blame big Oil. Six months later we can blame the greedy Americans using 25% of the planets resources as it (amazingly) cools off.

Busboy

Actually, global warming is suppose to cause an increase in the intensity of "extreme" weather events.

And, for your info...I'm actually in a Holiday Inn Express, as we speak.

MajorKong

I feel much better now. It's starting to make sense. AlGore really is a brilliant climatologist. But I do have another question. With the Fuel Sense Initiative, can I take less fuel or do I need to add fuel because of Global Warming?

Dadof6

The new ACP for HKG is one (1) of the 100,000 packing the square in front of the train station. Looking for volunteers to fill the FDA. Rotsa ruck.

MajorKong

Thats good for him because he is standing in line with 100,000 fellow non-union members (ChiComs). He should feel right at home.

FR8Hauler

I felt the global warming when it was -10 F in ANC the other day.

dojetdriver

After all, he DID invent the internet.

Busboy

Isn't it the "internets?