China: Cold Wave - Jan 2011
Disaster description
Starting in January 2011, a cold wave swept through the central and southern regions of China, accompanied by snowstorms and icy rain, which affected more than three million people in five of the worst hit provinces (Jiangxi, Hunan, Chongqing, Sichuan, Guizhou). An estimated 11,800 hectares of farmland was destroyed, at least 1,200 houses collapsed, and another 6,600 were damaged. (IFRC, 30 Aug 2011) Figures from the Ministry of Civil Affairs showed that the freezing weather left two people dead and forced the evacuation of 233,000 people from their homes in south China. (Xinhua, 17 Jan 2011)
On 28 January 2011, in view of the cold weather, the Home Affairs Department opened 14 temporary shelters for people in need of refuge in Hong Kong. (Government of Hong Kong, 28 Jan 2011)