Three people died and more than 1,000 residents were stranded in Tibet after the region experienced its first snowstorm this autumn/winter in many parts.

Two people in Lhunze County were frozen to death and one man in Cona County was killed when a barn collapsed under the weight of the snow, according to authorities of the two counties in the Shannan area.

Roads and communications were cut in five counties, according to an official of the Shannan area.

Tibet Autonomous Regional Weather Observatory claimed the snowstorm from Sunday to Tuesday was recorded to be the heaviest in the region's weather records, with Cona County reporting drifts of 64 cm.

The snowstorm also led to a fall of temperatures to minus 25 degrees Celsius in some parts.

Armed policemen and transportation officials were working around the clock to reopen the many roads blocked by heavy snow on the plateau, local officials said.

The regional civil affairs department has allocated relief materials such as clothing and tents to the affected areas.

(Xinhua News Agency Ocotber 30, 2008)