Snowstorms' lessons

Clear skies and warm sunshine should have done much to dispel the gloom of the snowstorms that caused nearly 40 deaths and paralyzed traffic in several provinces. But they should not be an end to the reflection on the lack of contingency plans and deficiencies of some local governments in effectively dealing with the unexpected natural disaster.

Sure, the snowstorms caught the northern and northwestern provinces by surprise. And many local governments did try their best to help stranded passengers, clear up snow and restore blocked traffic, provide heating to residents as early as possible and bring down the prices of daily necessities which suddenly soared.

However, local governments have much to learn from the calamity. As the Party chief of Shijiazhuang, capital of Hebei province, said, there was much to be desired in the way the city government responded.