Relief materials sent to blizzard-hit Tibet

Shigatse, Tibet - Rescuers are battling chilly weather and heavy snow to bring the much-needed help and supplies to those affected by the recent blizzard in Southwest China's Tibet autonomous region.

As of Sunday morning, rescuers have brought 39 vehicles and 294 people to safety, local officials said.

Supply materials, including 256 tents, 885 quilts and blankets, more than 3,500 cotton-padded coats and 290,000 kg of grain, have been sent to the affected population on foot, wheels or horseback, they said.

The government of Tibet autonomous region has earmarked 10 million yuan ($1.59 million) for the rescue work in Xigaze Prefecture, where 68,000 people from 12 counties were affected by heavy snow that has been pounding the area since February 7, according to officials with the regional government.

The rescue teams sent by the regional government and prefectural government have rushed to the affected areas to make sure that all the affected people can have access to basic life necessities and medical services, they said.

A total of 689 houses were destroyed or damaged and 20,000 heads of livestock were killed as of Sunday morning, they said.

In the hard-hit Nyalam county, snow hit again Sunday afternoon, where the road from Nyalam to Zham township was still blocked due to thick snow.

From Chinadaily