Grid striving to ensure supply

He said that electricity supplies to Guangdong remains stable.

Compared with northern China, which is experienced in dealing with cold weather, southern regions are more vulnerable to snow and ice.

The National Meteorological Center said in a Tuesday statement that South China will continue to experience snow, rain and freezing temperatures for the next few days, according to Xinhua News Agency.

The center said the severe weather would intensify from Tuesday, with blizzards in western regions along the Yangtze and Huaihe rivers, as well as the northern part of South China. The weather is not unlike that experienced in the winter of 2008, when freezing temperatures resulted in more than 120 deaths and more than 150 billion yuan ($24 billion) in direct economic losses.

However, experts do not expect a similar outcome for this year's winter season.

"Although the cold fronts are strong, moisture has been inadequate this year, reducing the possibility of a widespread and continuous freeze like that of 2008," Xinhua quoted Chen Lijuan, a senior engineer at the National Climate Center, as saying.

Governments in areas hit by cold are struggling to aid the homeless and repair infrastructure amid persistent cold weather.

Shelters equipped with quilts, coats and food have opened to the homeless in Hefei, capital of Anhui province.

"You can find shelters and aid stations for the elderly and homeless in all communities and villages in our district," said Zou Zhongxian, a civil affairs official in the city's Luyang district.

The civil affairs bureau in Guangzhou, capital of Guangdong province, has also arranged 1,347 shelters for the elderly.

Contact the writer at zhengcaixiong@chinadaily.com.cn