A strong cold air has brought heavy snowfall to parts of northwest China, prompting the China Meteorological Center to continue issuing a blue alert for blizzards on Saturday, mildest of China's four-tier blizzard warning system.
In Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, recent snowfall and falling temperatures have affected transportation and agricultural production.
Authorities in the region activated emergency response measures in advance, and as of Saturday morning most highways and major roads have remained open.
Sandstorms have also been reported in parts of central and northern Ningxia.
While the snowfall may temporarily delay spring farming activities, agricultural authorities say it could also help replenish soil moisture and improve conditions for seedling growth. Local authorities have also warned that prolonged snowfall could pose risks to agricultural facilities and livestock and have advised residents to reinforce structures and clear accumulated snow.
Meanwhile, heavy snow has also fallen in central and eastern Gansu, with blizzard conditions reported in some areas including Baiyin City since Friday evening. Traffic controls have been imposed on sections of the G22 Qingdao–Lanzhou Expressway.
Road maintenance teams have carried out repeated snow-clearing operations, including spreading de-icing agents, while traffic police have increased patrols and issued travel safety reminders to ensure safe road conditions.
Heavy snowfall impacts traffic, agriculture in northwest China
Police in Shenzhen City of south China's Guangdong Province have deployed 24-hour drone patrols around the Shenzhen Sports Center to enhance public safety control during the 2026 Chinese Super League season.
The Shenzhen Xinpengcheng Football Club has officially made the Shenzhen Sports Center its home ground for the 2026 Chinese Super League season. Football matches have attracted more than 10,000 fans per match, leading to intense crowd density and severe traffic congestion, which places immense pressure on security.
Amid the excitement of tens of thousands, the calmest "guards" aren't in the stands, but stationed over 100 meters above, in the sky.
Before a match began, police officer Wang Yiyuan and two teammates would be already deployed with well-defined roles: one would pilot the drones, another would keep an eye on the spectrogram to monitor the drone activity, and the third would coordinate with other ground police via his walkie-talkie.
Just before the end of the second half, a sudden alert for crowd flow popped up at the south square, where a large number of spectators had begun to gather as they leave the site. As this area served as the only passage for leaving the stadium, the crowd pressure could easily lead to a stampede.
From the initial alert to the loudspeaker broadcast and then to the arrival of police reenforcements on the scene, it took Wang and his colleagues just three minutes to complete the communication, and the crowds began to disperse.
Police deploy 24-hour drone patrols during football matches in south China's Shenzhen
Police deploy 24-hour drone patrols during football matches in south China's Shenzhen
