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Freezing rain adds traffic pressure
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People living in areas affected by freezing rain especially Guizhou and Hunan provinces continue to struggle against the harsh weather.
Authorities have appropriated 2 million yuan in aid, and urged local governments to help ease people's difficulties. Traffic was severely obstructed on many highways, keeping police officers quite busy.
This is the only highway linking Guizhou Province and the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, as well as the road most severely affected by the freezing rain. It was closed for two days in the last week, due to an icy surface. Vehicles were suspended for a distance of about 20 kilometers.
Traffic police officers like Hu Xiao have spent days there directing traffic. He has been working on the expressway for a full week, without going home to rest.
Hu said, "I haven't slept well in three days. I've had one hour of sleep every day, and all my colleagues are working at every jam site. We walk for more than 10 kilometers every day. I even got a muscle spasm in my leg yesterday."
Traffic pressure has been eased in the last few days, but the wretched weather continues to aggravate the police force. No one on duty has returned home all week.
Hu said, "Our families are worried about our safety. They call us several times every day. Our leaders have also emphasized the importance of staying safe ourselves. We've been working on the highways for many years, so we know how to do this."
When asked what they want to do most, the officers give the same answer.
Xu Kun, traffic policeman, said, "If I could, I would go to sleep."
Hu said, "Honestly, I'm exhausted. I want to sleep, even when standing upright. I really miss my family -- my wife and child."
So far, most of the main highways in the province have resumed traffic flow, and the power supply remains stable.
More than 3 million people in Guizhou have been affected by the continuous icy rain. In the capital city, Guiyang, authorities have provided financial assistance to low income residents to help cover heating expenses and vegetable purchases.
