China on orange alert for cold weather

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2009-10-31 19:44

BEIJING: Cold wave will bring down temperatures by a maximum of 14 degrees in north, central and east China during the weekend, National Meteorological Center (NMC) said on Saturday.

The NMC issued an orange alert for the cold wave, warning that most parts of those regions would suffer temperature drops ranging from eight to ten degrees Celsius, while temperatures of some parts might even plunge by 12 to 14 degrees Celsius during the Saturday-to-next-Monday period.

Weather experts reminded people about wearing more clothes against the drastic temperature fall, especially during the current A/H1N1 influenza virus outbreak.

Ministry of Health said Thursday that nearly 80 percent of China's total flu infections were caused by the A/H1N1 influenza virus.

There will be gales during the three days, scaling from five to seven degrees in those regions and gusts over water will be even stronger, ranging from seven to eight degrees, said the NMC.

The NMC required government organs to prepare for potential emergencies.

The orange alert means temperatures are expected to drop by 12 degrees Celsius within 24 hours.