A northern cold spell gripped much of northern and eastern China yesterday, as local authorities issued severe weather warnings and launched emergency plans to ensure safe transportation in the snow.

The cold front, which brought snow showers mainly to Henan, Anhui, Shaanxi and Gansu provinces, engulfed Beijing, Tianjin, Hebei and Liaoning provinces, putting pressure on the post-Spring Festival travel rush.

The bad weather has caused disruptions on roads, trains and airports.

Several highways surrounding Beijing were closed yesterday.

Delays and cancellations of flights at several airports meant many commuters were unable to return to work after the week-long holiday.

"At least four flights of the China Eastern Airlines were delayed because of the snow," said a clerk with the airport in Lanzhou, capital of northwest China's Gansu Province.

In Shenyang, capital of northeast China's Liaoning Province, the airport was forced to shut down yesterday morning and reopened later in the day.

No major incidents of stranded passengers at railway stations were reported.

Local authorities issued warnings against the severe weather while taking steps to ensure safe travel.

Rail conditions in Zhengzhou, capital of central China's Henan Province, have returned to normal after the station launched an emergency plan on Sunday in response to the heavy snow, and evacuated tens of thousands of passengers.

The meteorological department forecasts that the cold front will continue to bring snow and wind to most of northern and eastern China.

The seas in the east and south may also be hit with high winds.

(Xinhua News Agency February 7, 2006)