Monday, January 15, 2024
A group of tourists were left stranded for several days after avalanches damaged the highways leading to a well-known winter tourism destination in Xinjiang, which is located in northwest China. A chopper ultimately helped with their rescue.
The main access points to the well-known Kanas scenic area are the highways in the Altay mountains, and a series of avalanches occurred along these routes due to the heavy snowfall that fell on Altay Prefecture. Known for its ski resorts, Altay is a popular destination for winter tourism, which has seen a notable upsurge in recent weeks in China’s northern and northeastern cities.
As a result of the snow and subsequent avalanches, traffic was disrupted on routes to Kanas, Hemu, Baihaba, and other scenic spots in Burqin County, leaving tourists stranded, according to Xinhua.
In response to the crisis, the Kanas scenic area management committee announced that stranded tourists would be provided with complimentary accommodations. Furthermore, an army aviation brigade in Xinjiang dispatched a helicopter loaded with essential supplies such as fuel, generators, rice, flour, and oil to conduct rescue operations in Kanas. Unfortunately, adverse weather conditions characterized by increased wind and snowfall necessitated the suspension of additional rescue efforts.
As a precautionary measure, the management committee of the Kanas scenic area closed the area until January 20 due to the recent extreme weather and the ensuing safety concerns. An official announcement was posted on the committee’s WeChat account to convey this decision, which was made with the intention of protecting tourists.
The area has to be closed in order to reduce the risks that come with the severe weather that has made travelling there dangerous. Tourists who are planning a visit to the area may find the closure inconvenient, but their safety and wellbeing come first.
Tags: avalanches, china, Xinjiang
Saturday, April 27, 2024
