Harsh Winter Hits Asia

 

This winter has proven especially trying for countries in East Asia that have experienced unusually cold weather and snowfall. The irregular temperatures have caused social, economic, and infrastructural problems for the region.

A cold snap in East Asia over the weekend of January 23 caused a sudden drop in temperature, which created problems for those with weak circulatory systems, particularly the elderly. The BBC reported that the temperature drop to a 44-year low of 4 degrees Celsius (39F) caused at least 85 deaths in Taiwan that weekend. In South Korea, Jeju Island, a normally tropical tourist hub, temperatures dropped to -6 degrees Celsius, resulting in hundreds of cancelled flights and 60,000 stranded tourists.

Citizens in Taiwan complained of rising  vegetable prices due to the extraordinarily cold weather, remarking that this was the ‘most expensive winter yet.’ Others swarmed to mountainous regions of the island in pursuit of the rare appearance of snow.

Both Macau and Hong Kong recorded the lowest temperatures they have experienced in the past 60 years. In addition to issuing cold weather warnings and bolstering support and shelter for citizens, both cities shut down kindergartens and primary schools on January 25.

In mainland China, the cold weather has posed a challenge to travelers on their way home for the Chinese New Year. Citizens make around 2.9 billion trips annually during China’s Spring Festival migration, 332 million of these by train. Due to heavy snow in northern and central China, many trains were cancelled or delayed, leaving tens of thousands of people stranded for hours at Guangzhou railway station. As an  emergency response to over 55 delays on February 1, Shanghai stations implemented 72 additional train routes for passengers on the following day.