Snowfall has stranded about 1,000 automobiles for more than 40 hours since Friday night on a highway in Changyang County in central China's Hubei Province, according to the local government.

Heavy snow hit the 20-kilometer section of highway from Hejiaping to Langping township between Friday night and Saturday noon.

Police were sent out on Sunday to help ease the situation. In the meantime, trapped drivers and passengers had to live on provisions from locals who flocked to sell food and water at double or triple prices, said Lin Hua, a stranded driver.

Due to the deep snow and low temperatures, some vehicles broke down, making the situation even worse, said Shi Xianyin, an official from the county government.

The highway is part of National Highway 318 connecting Yichang in Hubei with Chongqing Municipality and Sichuan Province.

(Xinhua News Agency March 14, 2005)