The river's lower reaches were subjected to a severe cold spell twice during the winter time. During the first spell, which began on December 9, parts of the river froze over, with the longest frozen section measuring 10.3 km. It melted on December 18.

During the second cold spell, in a two-week period from December 24, 2002 to January 8, 2003, a 330-km section of the river was covered with ice, the longest over the past two decades since 1981.

The Yellow River Flood Control and Drought Relief Headquarters launched an ice run control scheme and monitored the ice flow situation through the use of remote sensing technology.

Henan and Shandong provinces, both located in the lower reaches, have resorted to emergency measures to prevent ice flooding.

(Xinhua News Agency February 19, 2003)