Beijing recently marked an unprecedented milestone, enduring its most extended cold wave since the commencement of record-keeping in 1951. However, signs of reprieve emerged as the chilly grip began to loosen, bringing a glimmer of warmth to the Chinese capital and surrounding regions.
State media outlet Beijing Daily highlighted a noteworthy shift as temperatures at the Nanjiao weather station ascended above the freezing point, registering above zero degrees Celsius (32 degrees Fahrenheit) on Sunday afternoon. Delving deeper into the historical cold spell, Beijing Daily remarked, “From the moment temperatures plummeted below zero on December 11, the mercury stayed submerged for an extensive period spanning over 300 hours.”
The nation grappled with an intense cold front this month, stretching the heating infrastructure of numerous northern Chinese cities to its operational threshold. In Henan’s central province, systemic challenges became apparent. Jiaozuo city faced intermittent heating disruptions following an anomaly at the Wanfang power plant last Friday. Fortunately, the issue found resolution by Saturday, with heating services anticipated to recommence by Sunday night, as confirmed by Jiaozuo Daily, the city’s official newspaper.
Parallelly, in Puyang and Pingdingshan, local governments strategically curtailed heating provisions to governmental edifices and state-affiliated enterprises. This tactical move aimed to allocate the constrained heating resources judiciously, prioritizing essential facilities like hospitals, educational institutions, and residential complexes.
Moreover, the inclement cold affected Beijing’s infrastructure, notably disrupting its metro system. Earlier this month, adverse wintry conditions led to a distressing metro collision incident, resulting in numerous injuries, including commuters with severe fractures, as reported by Beijing’s transportation authority. Additionally, the chilling weather conditions posed challenges during the aftermath of a devastating earthquake in Gansu province, impeding swift rescue operations.
