Heavy snow has gripped many parts of northeast China, prompting local authorities to take emergency response measures to ensure public safety.
An unexpected snow battered the Changbai Mountain Protection and Development Zone, a world-class tourism destination with rich natural resources, in northeast China's Jilin Province on Sunday.
The Changbai Mountain Scenic Area was closed and guided tourists to neighboring sites not hit by the snow.
Local authorities already issued warnings and carried out inspections to identify and eliminate potential hazards in advance.
Personnel and vehicles were swiftly dispatched to clear snow on the roads to restore the normal traffic. All passenger transport operations that should be halted were suspended as part of emergency response measures.
Local traffic police made up plans to ease congestion and ensure smooth traffic on road sections prone to accidents, striving to rescue stranded individuals and vehicles.
Meanwhile, many places in Liaoning Province also experienced snow from Friday to Sunday, with average precipitation exceeding 30 millimeters, according to the local meteorological department.
In Shenyang, the provincial capital, the melted snow made roads wet and caused water logging in some areas.
In response, the local authorities have taken measures to minimize the impacts of snow. The meteorological department said it would continue to monitor changes of weather and warned the public to take precautions when traveling.
Heavy snow hits Jilin, Liaoning
The Iranian government is focusing on public concerns and maintaining stable supplies of essential goods amid recent protests, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said in a televised interview on Sunday.
In the city of Karaj, northwest of the capital Tehran, daily life has largely continued as normal. A video filmed by a local resident on Sunday shows food stores open and grocery shelves fully stocked.
"This is the block near my home, and there are some food stores here. Daily life continues here. Last night we did not see many protests in Karaj. Right now the city is very safe. This is a grocery store close to my home. All the food is available; nothing is in shortage. Here are noodles and different types of beans. Here are dairy products, cheese, and yogurt. I also checked other grocery stores and didn't see any shortages. Everything is available," said local resident Ali Reza.
Iranian officials have described recent disturbances as acts orchestrated by the "enemy," including some carried out by well-trained and armed "terrorists." The incidents have caused casualties among security personnel and civilians, as well as property damage.
The Secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council Ali Larijani has directed authorities to severely punish the "terrorists."
Meanwhile, Iran's police chief Ahmad-Reza Radan said on Sunday that the police had raised alert levels and arrested several leaders of the troublemakers during the operations on Saturday.
President Pezeshkian noted in the interview that the normal demands of the Iranian people are reasonable and justified, but they must realize that triggering riots and carrying out terrorist acts are the enemy's attempts to undermine the country. He urged the public to remain vigilant.
Also on Sunday, Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf warned that Tehran would regard U.S. and Israeli bases and facilities in the Middle East as "legitimate targets" if Washington takes military action against Iran. His remarks followed media reports saying U.S. President Donald Trump is "seriously considering authorizing a strike" against Iran.
Iranian state media reported that at least 109 members of Iran's security forces have been killed in clashes since the protests began 14 days ago. Meanwhile, human rights groups based outside the country said the number of protesters killed has exceeded 200, though the figure could not be independently verified.
The protests initially erupted over a sharp depreciation of the rial and sweeping subsidy reforms. Iranian authorities have blamed the unrest on foreign-linked agents and sanctions imposed by the United States.
Iranian president says government focusing on ensuring supplies amid protests
