Heavy snowfalls have blanketed the northeastern part of Hubei Province in Central China since Jan. 18, affecting nearly 300,000 people, the provincial Department of Civil Affairs said Monday.

Altogether 12 cities and counties were hit by the severe snow and more than 3,724 people were relocated. In some areas, the snow was 50 to 60 cm thick, according to local meteorological authorities.

The snow damaged thousands of houses and 32,000 hectares of crops, causing an economic loss of 24.7 million yuan (US$3.05 million).

The provincial government has sent rescue teams to help the victims in the snow-hit areas right after the disaster and all the people whose houses had been broken were relocated, said Liu Hui, vice director of the Disaster Relief Office of the Department of Civil Affairs.

(Xinhua News Agency January 24, 2006)