25,000 affected by snowfall in China

Beijing, March 23 (IANS) Over 650 people have been injured and more than 25,000 are facing food shortage and a lack of warm clothing due heavy snowfall in China's southwest Sichuan province.

Persistent snowfall has battered the province since late January, killing more than 90,000 livestock, Xinhua reported.

Shiqu county has been blanketed under 15 cm of snow due to continuous snowfall since the past one month, according to the county's disaster prevention and relief bureau.

Electricity and water supply, traffic and communication facilities have also been disrupted by the snow, the bureau said.

The local government has dispatched more than 400 civilians to help with relief work. A relief fund of 300,000 yuan (over $47,000) has been created through donations.

The county government has sent 720,000 kg of grain, 100 tonnes of coal, 100 tents and 1,000 quilts to the affected residents.