Huge gale threatens herdsmen on Plain
( 2003-11-22 15:04) (Xinhua)
A heavy snowstorm is threatening the grazing areas and livelihoods of more
than 50,000 herdsmen on the Hulun Buir Plain, northern Inner Mongolian
Autonomous Region.
So far, there have been no reports of human or livestock casualties.
From 8 pm on Wednesday to 8 am yesterday, moderate snow, along with strong
winds of force 5 to 6, hit pasture and forest areas in Hulun Buir City,
meteorologists reported.
Some areas, including 95 million mu (6.4 million hectares) of grazing
grounds, were covered in 15 to 29 centimeters of snow, meteorologists said,
forecasting that the snowstorm would continue until tonight.
The Hulun Buir Plain has 125 million mu of pasture lands, but most only began
to grow grass from late July due to severe drought and insect attacks earlier
this year. As a result, grass growth on the plain fell by 50 percent this year.
The snowstorm has led to a shortage of 110,000 tons of fodder for 3 million
heads of livestock.
The local government has organized efforts to fight the disaster and maintain
normal life on the pasture lands.
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