IN BRIEF (Page 22)

Snow causes chaos in Northeast China

Snowstorms have affected road traffic and caused difficulties to local people in Northeast China, Xinhua News Agency reported.

The snowstorms have affected more than 7,500 residents in Hegang and Shuangyashan cities in Heilongjiang province. The snowstorms also flattened 170 houses and suspended local bus services, said the report, citing local government officials. The snowstorms also damaged 33,000 hectares of trees and more than 2,200 hectares of crops in the two cities. Cui Yang, an official with the Harbin Highway Transport Terminal, said that heavy snow left 400 coaches stranded on Nov 12 and more coaches might be stranded as the snow continues.