Heavy snow and rain hit northern Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region in northwestern China on Sunday, according to the regional observatory.

Urumqi, capital of Xinjiang, reported 13.6 millimeters of precipitation from 3:00 p.m. on Saturday to 2:00 p.m. on Sunday.

Kazak Autonomous Prefecture of Ili reported continuous rainfall for 15 hours from Friday to Saturday and the temperature was 6 to 12 degrees Celsius higher than the average figure in the previous years.

Flood caused by melted ice and snow hit Kazak Autonomous Prefecture of Ili in the past two days. No casualties have been reported.

A cold snap moved to northern China on Sunday and will bring wind and sharp temperature drop in Xinjiang from Sunday to Tuesday, according to China Meteorological Administration on Sunday.

The temperature drop might freeze the snow surface on the pastures, making it difficult for the livestock to find food, according to the regional observatory.

(Xinhua News Agency February 13, 2006)