China's State Council ordered more efforts Sunday from transport and electricity departments and local governments to prepare for another round of precipitation mainly in south and southwest China in the next 10 days.

Heavy snow or even blizzards were expected in the next three days in parts of Tibet Autonomous Region, and the provinces of Qinghai, Gansu and Sichuan. Sleet and icy rains are possible in most part of southwestern Guizhou.

A strong cold snap will affect north China, resulting in light or moderate snow for the northeastern part of the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region and central and northern part of Heilongjiang Province in the next two days.

Areas along the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River will have warmer temperature with sunny or cloudy weather. However, those areas should still take precautions for icy roads because the temperature at night will still fall below zero, meteorologists said.

On Feb. 13 and 14, the west part of south China, the east part of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau and the east part of southwest China will have two to eight millimeters of rain and snow, according to the China Meteorological Administration.

During Feb. 16 to 18, areas along the Huanghe River and south to the Yangtze River, most parts of south China, the east part of Qinghai-Tibet Plateau and the east part of southwest China will have three to 10 millimeters of rain and snow, with 15-30 millimeters of precipitation for some areas.

The State Council called on the transportation and railway departments at all levels to clear the snow- and ice-covered roads and restore rail and road traffic to help people get back to their work and study after the Spring Festival holiday.

It urged the departments in charge of electricity to repair power equipment and resume power supply to the disaster-hit regions and try to prevent facilities from being further damaged in low temperature and icy rain.

It also asked local governments to step up disaster relief efforts and help people to rebuild their homes and resume work.

(Xinhua News Agency February 11, 2008)