Another batch of heavy snowfall is expected in Shanghai today after yesterday's heaviest snowfall in 24 years, the national weather authority forecast at 6am.

The snow will also sweep across eastern Hunan, southern Anhui, southern Jiangsu, northern Zhejiang and northern Jiangxi provinces, according to the National Meteorological Center.

Sleet is forecast in some areas of southern and central Guizhou, southern and central Hunan, central Jiangxi, and northern Guangxi provinces.

The center required transportation, communication, railway and electricity departments in these areas to prepare for snowstorms.

The center advised people to avoid unnecessary outdoor activities and be careful if going out.

Blizzards have been blamed for the deaths of at least 24 people and stranded hundreds of thousands during the nation's busiest holiday travel season.

The snow has caused a direct economic loss of 22.09 billion yuan (US$3.07 billion), the Ministry of Civil Affairs said yesterday.

(Shanghai Daily January 29, 2008)