Snowstorm hits Chinese New Year celebrations

BEIJING: China heralded "Year of the Rat", amidst the thunder of firecrackers and mirth but the celebrations were overshadowed by the snowstorm-caused havoc for millions who could not make it to be with their families for the biggest festival.

Fireworks lit up the skyline and the deafening sound of crackers echoed in keeping with the true traditional spirit of the festival that sees millions of people in movement across the country to spend their holiday for family union.

The rat is the first of the 12-year cycle of 12 animals appearing in the Chinese Zodiac and the pig last. The Year of the Pig ended on Wednesday.

As the tell tale havoc left by the worst-ever snowstorm remained, the top Chinese leadership, including the President Hu Jintao and Premier Wen Jiabao spent their New Year eve with the victims, speaking soothing words and lifting up their spirits.

With the weather clearing and traffic resuming on highways, millions managed to reach home after being stranded in shivering cold for days together at railway stations.

But the travel plans of millions of others were blighted by chaotic rush, forcing them to call off their most-cherished annual trip for the Spring Festival.

Nearly 12 million migrant workers opted to stay back in the southern Guangdong, a province with a population of 30 million migrant workers.

Coming to relief of those who could not make it to their homes, the local governments organised banquets and other programmes to keep their spirits high inspite of being away from their families.