Northwestern China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region has been suffering the most serious snowstorms in six decades since December. As temperatures rise, the melting snow is causing floods. Local government is intensifying efforts to ensure residents' safety.

 

In Tacheng Prefecture, the floods caused by melting snow have led to the collapse of more than 600 houses and nearly 3,00O households need to move.

Local government has sent 500 emergency tents and fodder for their livestock.

In Altay Prefecture, 5 months of continuous snow have brought the highest precipitation in recorded history.

Local government is warning that the melting snow combined with rain could bring floods not seen in a century.

It's calling for residents in dangerous areas to move as soon possible.

Bu'erjin County in Altay has rich water resources, as two major rivers meet here. But melting snow has put the county at risk.

Blizzards early this year left up to 2 meters of snow. This translates into a total flow of 10 billion cubic meters for the two rivers, a sudden 40-percent increase.