Flights canceled, weather alert issued in China's Jiangsu due to heavy snow

NANJING -- Hundreds of flights were canceled or delayed in East China's Jiangsu province due to heavy snowfall starting early Monday.

The Nanjing Lukou International Airport had canceled 261 flights and suspended 224 others by 12:30 pm Monday. Some of the delayed flights departed after the runway was cleared of snow, said the airport.

The meteorological observatory of Jiangsu issued an icy road alert on Monday morning for most of the province, including the capital Nanjing.

Over 60,000 people in Nanjing have been mobilized to clear the snow on city streets and spray snow-melting agents on key roads on Monday.

Meteorological and emergency management departments have warned drivers and pedestrians to watch out for slippery roads over the next few days and avoid biking, adding that the snow is forecast to last till Monday night in most of Jiangsu while freezing weather is expected until Tuesday morning.