China renews orange alert for snowstorms

BEIJING, Jan. 27 (Xinhua) -- China's national observatory renewed an orange alert Saturday for snowstorms in central and east China.

The National Meteorological Center (NMC) said heavy snow or sleet was expected in parts of Henan, Hubei, Guizhou and Hunan provinces and regions along the Yangtze River and Huaihe River from Saturday morning to Sunday morning.

Snowstorms will hit parts of Anhui, Jiangsu, Zhejiang, Hubei and Hunan, with some areas to receive 20 to 28 millimeters of snowfall, the NMC said.

It also forecast freezing rain in parts of Guizhou, Hunan, Hubei and Jiangxi.

The center advised residents to reduce outdoor activities and urged local authorities to take precautions with roads, railways, electricity and telecommunications.

In the country's four-tier weather warning system, red is the most severe, followed by orange, yellow and blue. Enditem