A heavy snowstorm struck northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region over the weekend. The snowfall lasted nearly 40 hours.

In the Yili River Valley in the northwest part of Xinjiang, the snow is more than 80-centimeters deep, which has forced traffic in the area to a standstill. Plus strong winds are blowing snow into the air, bringing visibility in the area down to only 80 meters.

The autonomous region has activated its snow emergency response plans. Traffic controls have been applied to the portion of a major Highway leading to the Yili region. And the local government has mobilized all available manpower and equipment in an effort to clear the roads.