Snow storms have swept through parts of northern China for four days, stranding four thousand herdsmen in Inner Mongolia. Roads to the area were cleared Monday. The Altay Mountains of the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, is seeing snow drifts one-and-half meters high. In Harbin City in Northeast China, a thousand people were rescued after being stranded on a highway for 3 days.

The four-day snow storm continues.

Despite dwindling wind, temperatures in Inner Mongolia remain at minus 33 degrees Celsius.

Many families would be trapped indoors if they didn't have ladders. They relied on instant noodles and biscuits before roads were cleared.

A herdsman said, "Many homes were buried, we can't open the doors. Stockyards were buried too, we can't reach them. Some of the animals die because of the cold."

Local governments respond immediately by clearing major roads, and delivering coal, food and medicine to those stranded.

A 24-hour patrol is being carried out in case of another snow blockade.

Altay resident of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region,said, "I've been here for 30 years, this is the biggest snow fall I've ever witnessed."

The forecast is more snow through Tuesday. And temperatures will drop to minus 30 degrees Celsius.

On highways to Harbin, capital of Heilongjiang Province, 700 vehicles were stranded for 30 hours. Emergency crews delivered food supplies on foot. Once rescued, passengers and drivers were transferred to nearby counties, where they received free food and accommodation.

A rescued passenger said, "I called the emergency services. When they came, I was so excited that I almost cried."

Another cold front crept into Xinjiang Monday night. Temperatures in Central and Eastern China are expected to drop by 6 to 12 degrees Celsius, and in some areas, wind will bring it down even further.

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