Prolonged sub-zero temperatures had caused the Yellow River, China's second longest river, to freeze for close to 320 kilometers in the eastern Shandong province by Tuesday.

The Yellow River runs for 617 kilometers through Shandong.

The river has 95 sections frozen over on its Shandong course, and ice thickness averages between four and 16 centimeters, with 30 centimeters at the thickest, according to the Yellow River affairs bureau of the province.

Water flows from the upper reaches are relatively small so far this year, but if the flow increases suddenly, water will break up the ice at the river's bends, sending large blocks of ice downstream. "These ice runs are dangerous to river embankments," Bi Dongsheng, vice-engineer-in-chief of the bureau, said.

The province's Yellow River floods office has issued an order requiring counties and cities along the river to closely watch the weather, temperatures and flow changes.

(Xinhua News Agency January 8, 2003)