Snow and sleet have severely damaged the power facilities around Chenzhou, in central China's Hunan Province, since mid-January, and the electricity crisis has caused major disruptions to people days before the Chinese Spring Festival.

A main street in Chenzhou, central China's Hunan Province is seen during a blackout on February 2, 2008.

Xia Jiatao (R) has supper with his family by candlelight during a blackout in Chenzhou, central China's Hunan Province on February 2, 2008.

Cao Shujian, a primary student, does his homework by candlelight during a blackout in Chenzhou, central China's Hunan Province on February 2, 2008.

Cao Juan, a Chenzhou resident, smiles with her new-born twin girls beside her in a hospital in Chenzhou, central China's Hunan Province on February 1, 2008.

(Xinhua News Agency February 3, 2008)