... effects of Global Warming staring them in their faces, &
they still don't know it...
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Tue, Jan 29, 2008
Reuters
China's economic heartland besieged by wild
winter
SHANGHAI - CHAOTIC winter weather besieged China's business and
farming heartland on Tuesday, with no quick end in sight to weeks
of snow and ice that have trapped energy and food flows ahead of a
big national holiday.
Icy temperatures, snow and sleet pummelling much of central,
eastern and southern China have crippled many thousands of trucks
and trains loaded with coal, food and passengers in the most severe
weather seen in decades.
More than 20 people have have died in weather-related accidents,
including three workers who fell while trying to repair iced up
power lines, according to state radio.
The snow and biting cold across regions that usually have fairly
temperate, snow-free winters was likely to continue on Tuesday, the
national forecaster stated on its website (www.nmc.gov.cn). Beijing
remained clear, with the temperature below freezing.
China warned residents of Shanghai and neighbouring Jiangsu and
Zhejiang provinces - the country's commercial engine room - to stay
indoors if possible. In Shanghai, some food shelves in shops
emptied as people stocked up.
The chaotic weather has choked coal shipments, magnifying energy
shortages that have brought electricity brownouts to 17 of China's
31 provinces and province-status cities.
On Monday, the Ministry of Agriculture ordered urgent steps to
fight food shortfalls that are driving up prices and adding to
already heady inflation.
China is counting the economic cost of all this disruption and
damage. On Monday, the main Shanghai stock index plunged 7.19 per
cent, its fourth biggest drop this decade, as investors added the
weather woes to gloom about inflation and the global economy.
Railway stations and airports remained choked with stranded
passengers trying to return to families to celebrate the Lunar New
Year, or Spring Festival, which starts on Feb 7.
In the far south, over 150,000 people crammed around the main
station in Guangzhou, hoping for word of restored services - which
seems unlikely soon, according to the Guangzhou Daily.
At the main Shanghai railway station, over 70,000 people were
stranded by Monday night, local radio reported.
Up to 19 airports, mostly in eastern provinces, are completely
shut and flights from others are badly delayed. -- REUTERS