China activates emergency response to rain, snowstorms

China's Ministry of Emergency Management activated a Level-IV　emergency response following rain, snow and freezing conditions in east China's Anhui Province and central China's Henan and Hubei provinces on Tuesday.　

The first snowfall of the　Year　of　the　Loong　(Chinese Dragon) hit Beijing on Tuesday evening.　The city's weather station issued a yellow alert for icy roads on the same day. China has a four-tier weather warning system, with red representing the most severe alert, followed by orange, yellow and blue.　

In Henan Province, due to low temperatures, rain, snow, and freezing conditions, temporary traffic control measures have been implemented on some highways. Sanitation departments in Henan mobilized equipment to carry out snow-clearing operations. Police forces escorted vehicles safely through the icy roads.　

In Hebei Province, the local meteorological center issued a yellow alert for snowstorms on Tuesday. Government departments concerned are paying special attention to weather changes and increasing rescue forces.　

(Reported by Zhao Anyuan, Dong Zeyu, Fan Xiaoheng, Xing Lu;　Edited by　Qi Yiling)