Guizhou declares emergency

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Source: CCTV.com | 01-31-2008 09:27

Guizhou province declared its highest level of emergency on Tuesday night. Half of the province is without electricity after the power network was severely damaged during the worst snowstorm in five decades.

Half of the province is without electricity after the power network was severely damaged during the worst snowstorm in five decades.

Nearly 4000 electricity lines had been damaged by Tuesday. And 472 power plants across the province have been paralyzed since the blizzards rampaged the area.

Power supplies in Guizhou plunged nearly 50 percent to three million kilowatts by Monday, down from 7.2 million two weeks ago, after key power plants closed down because of the storms and lack of coal.

Unusually cold temperatures, and snow and sleet blanketing much of these regions have halted thousands of trucks and trains loaded with coal, food and passengers. But what's making the situation even worse is that blocked roads and railways have also choked coal shipments. This has magnified energy shortages and caused power blackouts.

After urgent repair work, more than 1,500 lines and 194 power plants are working again. Electricity in 13 counties and cities in Guizhou have resumed while electricity in 19 places has been partially restored. But 12 counties and cities in the province are still in darkness while the repair work continues.

Editor:Zhang Ning