Cold wave brings snow, freezing rain across China

The Chinese Meteorological Center has issued warnings for a cold wave, blizzards, freezing rain, strong winds, and fog in Beijing and several provinces.　

A cold snap hit large swaths of China from Feb. 17 to 22.　

The cold wave has swept across the central and eastern regions, bringing drastic temperature drops of up to about 20 degrees Celsius.　

There were heavy snows in Shaanxi, Shanxi, Henan, and Shandong, while freezing rain hit Henan, Hubei, Hunan, and Guizhou.　

The period was the peak time for the return journeys of the Spring Festival holiday, and the cold wave had a significant impact on road, railway, aviation, and water transportation.　

Local authorities have initiated various measures and emergency responses to maintain the uninterrupted operation of transportation during the travel rush and safeguard the well-being of residents overall.　

(Reported by Zheng Ziyan, Hu Chuanlin, Mei Yilong, Ge Yong; Edited by Zhou Jing)