China's quake zone battles snow, rain as rescue continues

• Source: Xinhua
• [08:21 April 21 2010]
• Comments

A fleet of cargo vehicles transports quake-relief materials to Gyegu Town, Yushu County, northwest China's Qinghai Province, April 20, 2010. The quake-hit area was hit by snow and rainfall on Tuesday. Photo: Xinhua

Snow continued to fall on the earthquake zone in China's rugged northwestern plateau Tuesday, snarling traffic and slowing delivery of badly needed relief goods.

Since late Monday, roads leading to the quake-stricken Yushu county in Qinghai Province have all experienced snow or rain, adding to the difficult delivery of relief goods, said a local weather forecast official.

In some parts, snow on the road accumulated to 4 cm in depth and in others, ice formed on the surface, making it harder for vehicles to move, said Ma Yuancang, vice head of Qinghai provincial meteorology bureau.

Slippery road

Since Monday from time to time, traffic built up on the main national road linking Yushu with the provincial capital of Xining, where most of the relief goods and rescuers are being transported into the quake zone.

Trucks, vans, pick-ups and cars were forced to reduce speed on the slippery road amid rain and snow.

Vehicles were moving slowly at around 10 km per hour when the snow fell, a local newspaper reported Tuesday. Brake failures occurred and at least one car overturned.