Strong winds have swept across northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region over the last 30 hours, causing 17 fires and killing one person as of noon Monday.

Strong winds have swept across northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region over the last 30 hours, causing 17 fires and killing one person as of noon Monday.

Winds of 80 km per hour have hit the Turpan Basin in central Xinjiang since Sunday, blowing roofs away and bringing temperatures down. Officials from the Turpan Prefecture said the maximum wind speed reached 117 km per hour.

More than 200 people have been dispatched to put out the fires, which damaged 165 houses. One train travelling from Urumqi to Kashi has had to stop at Turpan station. Local residents have been properly assisted, although the amount of damage has yet to be evaluated.

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