Freezing fog disrupts flights in Xinjiang

URUMQI -- Freezing fog has disrupted traffic in Urumqi, capital of Northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region, stranding thousands of flight passengers on Monday.

More than 3,000 passengers are grounded at the Diwopu International Airport in Urumqi after heavy fog on Monday slashed visibility and affected flights.

According to the airport, a total of 49 inbound and outbound flights have been canceled, four flights returned and 31 flights diverted due to the fog as of 2 pm local time. Visibility at the airport has been less than 200 meters since Monday morning.

Authorities said rising temperatures caused the fog and they have alerted passengers to re-arrange their schedules.