Severe weather disrupts millions over Lunar New Year
Snow and ice in central and eastern China is disrupting travel for millions of people attempting to return home for Lunar New Year on February 10. - REUTERS
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00:00 "Severe weather in central and eastern China is disrupting travel for millions of people
00:05 attempting to return home for the lunar new year.
00:08 Freezing rain, snow and ice has brought traffic to a standstill, grounded flights and stranded
00:14 trains.
00:15 These images from state broadcaster CCTV show the extent of the disruption.
00:20 Overall, Hunan and Hubei provinces have been the worst affected areas, after the weather
00:26 steadily got worse over the weekend.
00:28 The travel disruptions coincide with the biggest mass travel migration in the world, as millions
00:33 flock home to see their families for the new year.
00:37 This video shows crowds of people stranded at Wuhan station.
00:42 A statement from the Wuhan railway revealed 139 trains were out of service in the city
00:47 on Tuesday.
00:48 According to state media reports, at least two people have died in snow-related accidents.
00:54 There have also been reports of people becoming trapped in trains and cars, as well as freezing
00:59 rain felling trees.
01:01 So far, several cities have upgraded their weather advisories and emergency response
01:06 plans.
01:07 The Ministries of Finance and Transport issued the equivalent of around $19.5 million to
01:13 support 11 provinces and municipalities for highway snow and ice removal.
01:18 China's National Emergency Broadcasting Organization says the severe weather is expected to last
01:23 for another few days, although the Central Meteorological Observatory predicts conditions
01:27 could start improving from Thursday onwards.
01:31 The Lunar New Year begins on Saturday and welcomes the Year of the Dragon.