Consecutive snowfall has caused five avalanches, burying more than 200 cars in Gouzigou, a resort located in the Ili Kazak Autonomous Prefecture of the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, local police said on Wednesday.

The avalanches occurred early Wednesday morning at the Guozigou section of the No. 312 National Highway. Most of trapped cars were travelling from Urumqi, capital of the autonomous region, to Ili.

By press time, no travelers were reported frostbitten.

The thick snow in the Ili Valley has also obstructed the transportation of pasturage for livestock. Some 3.5 million heads of cattle are faced with hunger due to a reduction of output in the area.

Local governments are taking measures to provide relief goods like clothing, food and feed for the area.

(Xinhua News Agency January 12, 2006)