To cope with power shortage, Changsha in central China's snow-plagued Hunan Province has ordered closure of public entertainment areas.

An emergency plan for power supplies was worked out in Changsha, the capital city of the central Hunan Province, mandating that all institutions and departments should prepare independent power supply facilities and house generators without delay to avoid any negative impacts and losses due to the freezing weather.

Spare power supplies and emergency lighting are required at essential living facilities and municipal places where the public gathers, such as high rises, shopping malls and stadiums. Theaters, cinemas and other public entertainment areas must be closed. Neon lights are also forbidden in the mandate.

The electric network serving the province has not worked well due to the freezing weather. Power lines have been blocked and many blackouts have occurred in the city. In light of these urgent circumstances, the municipal government has decided to implement an emergency supply power plan in order to minimize losses.

The public security departments and armed police organs have been urged to strengthen security work and patrol areas hit the hardest by bad weather. Fire departments are required to go on high alert for possible emergency fires. Transportation authorities are responsible for traffic control in the stricken areas in order to avoid chaos and guarantee routine operations of any emergency measures.

The negative influence of freezing weather on the power supply in Changsha may expand in the following days.

(China.org.cn by Yang Xi, January 30, 2008)