Blizzard and sandstorm paralyzed traffic in northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region on Wednesday, stranding thousands of people in airports, trains and road transport hubs.
About 59 flights were delayed or canceled at Urumqi International Airport, a major airport in Xinjiang, while a couple of smaller airports for short-haul plane routes were closed, Xinjiang's transportation authorities said.
Gusts of wind also stranded three trains -- carrying more than 4,500 passengers in estimate -- on the tracks in southern Xinjiang and crowds accumulated in long-distance bus stations after freeways were closed.
Snow started to fall in northern Xinjiang late Tuesday and has turned into snowstorms near noontime, as strong winds and sandstorms pounded southern Xinjiang, the regional weather forecast bureau reported.
The averse weather continued into Wednesday night.
About 59 flights were delayed or canceled at Urumqi International Airport, a major airport in Xinjiang, while a couple of smaller airports for short-haul plane routes were closed, Xinjiang's transportation authorities said.
Gusts of wind also stranded three trains -- carrying more than 4,500 passengers in estimate -- on the tracks in southern Xinjiang and crowds accumulated in long-distance bus stations after freeways were closed.
Snow started to fall in northern Xinjiang late Tuesday and has turned into snowstorms near noontime, as strong winds and sandstorms pounded southern Xinjiang, the regional weather forecast bureau reported.
The averse weather continued into Wednesday night.
