Heavy snow disrupts traffic, closes scenic spots in East China

NANJING/HEFEI -- The first snow of the new year, which began hitting China on Wednesday, has continued to affect life and traffic in the country.

As of Saturday afternoon, 13 sections of expressways in Jiangsu Province remained closed due to wet and slippery conditions, the provincial transport department said.

In the neighboring Anhui province, 51 scenic spots in nine cities were also shut due to safety concerns, the provincial tourism authority said.

According to the provincial government on Friday, the worst snowstorms since 2008 have killed 13 people, causing direct economic losses of 1.26 billion yuan ($190 million) and 790 million yuan of losses in agriculture.

In addition to Anhui and Jiangsu, the provinces of Henan, Hubei, Hunan and Shaanxi in central and northern China have all suffered from heavy snow this week.