People in South China's Guangdong Province are putting on extra layers ahead of a plunge in temperatures forecast for today.
Guangdong Meteorological Observatory is predicting a strong cold air from the north reaching the province, reducing average temperatures by 7 degrees Centigrade to a new level of 11 degrees Centigrade.
The lowest temperature in the province will hit 0 degree Centigrade tomorrow, according to Nanfang Daily, a local newspaper in provincial capital Guangzhou.
The provincial government has issued an announcement to all local leaders at all levels to prepare for the cold snap.
Children and the elderly were urged to wrap up and move safely to avoid injury caused by the sudden chill.
"Zero? It is quite rare here," said Zhang Man, who is a Guangzhou resident. Zhang was already wearing a sweater Wednesday.
Chen Mingwei, a resident in Shenzhen, another city in the province, said he would put on his "heaviest clothes" to keep warm.
Meanwhile, in Beijing, people now seem to be getting used to the icy temperatures.
"After getting half frozen yesterday (Tuesday), I am now quite used to the cold air," said Ma Jing, a Beijing resident who was snug in a fur overcoat and woollen hat.
The temperature in Beijing dropped by 4-5 degrees Centigrade on Tuesday after days of snow and icy winds started to blow in the city.
The lowest temperature in Beijing today will hit -11 degrees Centigrade or even -13 degrees Centigrade, according to Beijing Meteorological Observatory yesterday.
"It will be the lowest temperature this winter," said Zhang Mingying with the observatory.
The cold days will continue until tomorrow, and then the temperature will probably rise, he said.
He added that the current temperature in Beijing is 4 degrees Centigrade lower than the average temperature in past years.
Beijing resident Li He, who was bunged up with a cold yesterday, said the city's heating system was not good enough to resist the cold.
"The heating system in many places, especially old buildings, needs to be improved because sometimes it fails to work well," he said, adding the heating system where he lives stopped working for a day.
(China Daily December 26, 2002)
|
