Temperatures in some areas of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region in northwest China have dropped to as low as minus 43 degrees Celsius since the start of January. The lowest temperatures in 30 years are now starting to threaten livestock and wild animals. 

 

This year's snowy season came two months earlier than expected. There was an average of over 40 centimeters of snowfall in the region, and in some mountainous areas over a meter of snow fell.

 

Sub-zero temperatures have also hit Xinjiang. Parts of the region have seen temperatures drop by more than 20 degrees Celsius. A part of the Altay region has even seen temperatures of minus 43-degrees Celsius, the lowest in over three decades.

 

Snowfalls also covered winter grazing areas. The Altay region, where 70 percent of the population lives on livestock farming, has been affected by snowfalls and low temperatures.

 

Snowfall and low temperatures also threatened survival of the wildlife. A local Natural Reserve Region has seen snowfall of over forty centimeters. Animals including wild horses, wild donkeys and antelopes are unable to find food, and are already showing signs of extreme hunger.

 

Efforts has been made to deliver food, but bad weather conditions have made transportation difficult.

 

Local officials said they were working to ensure both livestock and wild animals had enough to eat.

 

(CCTV.com January 20, 2006)