Beijingers fear traffic chaos as snow covers city again
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Many Beijingers called for adjusted Monday work hours after the arrival of heavy snow, hoping to avoid the rush-hour frustration caused by an overloaded public transportation system.
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The 10th snow to fall on Beijing this winter brings chaos for traffic in the city. |
Sleet began falling at 4 am Sunday as a new cold snap hit the capital. Guo Jinlan, chief weather forecaster with the Beijing Meteorological Bureau, said: "It started as sleet and gradually changed into heavy snow in the afternoon."
"We believe the snow will end tonight, followed by a strong wind ranging from level four to level five tomorrow," she said on Sunday. The snow resulted from the dual effects of a warm and wet airflow and a cold front.
As the snow accumulated, many citizens worried about the huge traffic pressure they may face and hoped for altered work hours Monday.
The Beijing municipal government issued a notice on Jan 3 that government agencies, companies and organizations could adjust their working hours to accommodate smoother commutes.
Primary and secondary school classes were also shut down on Jan 4, the first time that schools had been closed because of weather since 1949. Many residents applauded the decision, saying it prevented trouble.
Cao Zude, a resident of the Tiantongyuan community, the most populous apartment complex in Beijing, said he wasn't looking forward to the Monday morning trip to work.
"I think I will have to get up half an hour earlier if I want to arrive at my work on time," Cao said. "Don't mention the crowds I will face tomorrow. It is painful just to think about it."
Cao recounted his transportation woes of Jan 4.
"It was very difficult to get into the subway station and people waited outdoors on the snowy day," he said. "Compared to this snow, the last one was a very light one."
According to the latest report from the Beijing municipal commission of city administration and environment, 3,085 tons of snow-melting agents were used Sunday. As many as 2,585 sweeping cars and 21,700 road sweepers were put to work Sunday to ensure smooth traffic flow.
"There is no snow on the roads after today's work," Wang Qingwen, director of the public relations department for the municipal commission, said on Sunday.
"But we have prepared more snow-melting chemicals and workers in case the water on the roads freeze into ice at night."
The snow on Sunday was the 10th snowfall this winter.
Though the spring of 2010, which is set by the lunar calendar, began on Feb 4 this year.
"From the perspective of weather, Beijing is still far from spring," Guo said.
"The standard for the official start of spring is five days in a row with temperatures higher than 10 degrees Celsius," she said, adding the lowest temperature will likely be below 0 degrees Celsius this week."
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