Snow and gales are forecast to buffet a Tibetan area in southwest China that had been hit by a blizzard last week, local meteorological officials said Thursday.

Snow has started to fall again in the areas of Nyalam and Burang, Xigaze prefecture of Tibet autonomous region, since Wednesday, Tibet meteorological officials said. In some parts of Nyalam, snow on the ground has accumulated to 38-cm deep.

Authorities said the latest snowfall might slow the transport of relief goods into the blizzard-hit areas.

A blizzard hit 12 counties in Xigaze from Feb. 7 to 9, blocking roads and cutting off power, water and communication for the region's residents. No casualties have been reported, but more than 2,500 people were relocated as 689 houses were destroyed or damaged, and 20,000 heads of livestock were killed as of last Sunday, officials have said.

The government has allocated more than 25 million yuan (4 million U.S. dollars) to fund the relief efforts, and sent food, clothing, blankets, shoes and food to the affected areas.