BEIJING, Jan. 28 (Xinhua) -- The China Meteorological Administration (CMA) early Monday issued a red alert for severe snowstorms forecast for central and eastern China.

    Heavy snow is set to blanket northern Hunan, eastern Hubei, southeastern Henan, northwestern Zhejiang as well as most areas of Anhui and Jiangsu provinces on Monday, while some of these areas will expect snowstorms, according to the CMA.

More than 3.4 million people in east China's Anhui Province have been affected by a heavy snow since Friday, officials said on Wednesday.(Xinhua File Photo) Photo Gallery>>>

    Meanwhile, freezing rain will pound some parts of Guizhou, Hunan, Jiangxi, Guangxi, Anhui and Zhejiang.

    The CMA warned local governments and departments to prepare for the coming bad weather, and transportation, railway, electricity and communication departments were advised to prepare post-snow clean-ups.

    CMA also suggested that citizens in these areas should reduce their unnecessary outdoor activities.

    The CMA's weather warnings fall into four levels in accordance with their severity and status of emergency, with red being the most severe.

    The snow, the worst in a decade in many places, has hit most of China since Jan. 12, leaving homes collapsed, power blackouts, highways closed and crops destroyed.

	Snows and stays in China Ferry buses are parked at a terminal in Hefei, capital of east China's Anhui Province, Jan. 27, 2008. All the highways in Anhui Province were closed on Sunday due to heavy snow. More photos
	China beefs up relief efforts after heavy snow      The death toll from the unusually heavy snowfall in central and eastern China has risen to at least 17 as officials stepped up measures to end widespread disruption.  Full story

Death toll, traffic chaos worsen with more snow, sleet in China

    BEIJING, Jan. 27 (Xinhua) -- An unprecedented cold spell hitting half of China has caused at least another dozen deaths, injured thousands and stranded multitudes of travelers in the freezing weather by Sunday.

    A bus carrying 41 people overturned on a slippery freeway in east China's Jiangxi Province early Sunday, leaving five dead at the scene and injuring 10 others. The victims included three children, two of whom were dead and one seriously injured.  Full story

Heavy snow forecast for central China

    WUHAN, Jan. 24 (Xinhua) -- Four more days of heavy snow – from Friday to Monday -- are forecast for central China's Hubei and Hunan provinces, said officials Thursday afternoon.

    The snow was expected to put more pressure on the power supply in the province, said Tang Wenquan, general manager of the provincial electricity company.  Full story

     BEIJING, Jan. 21 (xinhua) -- China's Ministry of Education on Monday allowed middle and primary schools as well as kindergartens affected by bad weather to adjust their winter holiday times to ensure the safety of teachers and students.

    Weather satellite surveillance shows that heavy fog and snow will continue to blanket middle and eastern China in coming days.  Full story