Twenty-two women and children in China's far-western Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region were rescued Sunday, one week after they were trapped by avalanches, the region's disaster response authorities said.

Bad weather hindered rescue efforts Saturday, but on Sunday two military helicopters managed to take off and reach a coal mining area in Nilka County, Kazak Autonomous Prefecture of Ili, where 135 people were trapped.

The helicopters brought the women and children to safe areas, while the rest were left with enough food, vegetables and medicines. They will wait until the road is reopened.

Rescuers also airdropped food and medicine for 29 people trapped in an iron mining area in Nilka County.

The helicopters will fly to the nearby Hejing County of Bayingolin Mongolian Autonomous Prefecture Monday morning to rescue about 300 farmers and herders trapped there.

Xinjiang has been experiencing the heaviest snow and coldest temperatures in decades this winter. Two avalanches in the region have killed at least seven people.

(Xinhua News Agency March 1, 2010)