Since the 13th, Yunnan has experienced widespread low temperatures and rainy or snowy weather, affecting civil aviation, highways, railways, power supply, communications, and crops to varying degrees. All regions and departments in Yunnan have responded in an orderly manner, properly accommodating people stranded by ice and snow, and making every effort to clear blocked roads and repair damaged facilities, minimizing losses caused by the snow and ice disaster.
Currently, all major highways in Yunnan have resumed traffic. Kunming Airport, which was temporarily closed, has also reopened. The main grid of the Yunnan Power Grid remains safe and stable, and emergency rescue and disaster relief efforts are still underway.
According to the Yunnan Meteorological Bureau, affected by the southern branch trough and the cold front shear, Yunnan experienced a cold wave from the 13th to the 16th, accompanied by heavy to torrential rain. Central and eastern Yunnan, as well as northern areas, saw significant temperature drops along with widespread snowfall, while southern Yunnan experienced continuous heavy rainfall. Snowfall was mainly concentrated in Diqing, Lijiang, Dali, southern Nujiang, Kunming, and Chuxiong, with 51 counties and stations across the province reporting snow or sleet.
The ice and snow disaster severely affected traffic on several major highways in Yunnan, including the Zhaotong-Dai, Kunming-Songming, Kunming-Shilin, Chuxiong-Dali, and Dali-Baoshan roads. The Yunnan transportation system quickly activated emergency plans, organizing de-icing agent spraying and snow clearing, and providing stranded drivers and passengers with hot water and food. As of 16:00 on the 16th, all major highways affected by the low temperatures and snowy weather had resumed traffic.
On the Ningfeng Line (formerly the Dali-Lijiang Road) in Heqing County, Dali Prefecture, which was blocked by ice and snow, rescue vehicles could not pass due to the harsh conditions. Over 300 local personnel, including traffic police, armed police, and militia, trekked into the mountains overnight to carry out rescue operations, transporting relief supplies by carrying them on foot or horseback. More than 1,400 stranded people have now been rescued and accommodated.
At Kunming Airport, which was temporarily closed due to ice and snow, aircraft and runways were de-iced, and the airport reopened at 14:30 on the 16th. Airlines are actively reallocating crew resources and scheduling subsequent flights.
In disaster-stricken areas affected by the ice and snow, local civil affairs departments promptly distributed relief supplies and properly accommodated affected residents. Currently, civil affairs departments at all levels in Dali Prefecture have distributed 100 tons of relief grain, 3,081 sets of clothing, and 2,350 quilts. They have also increased support for residents in need in earthquake-stricken areas such as Eryuan (March 3 and April 17 incidents) and Xiangyun (November 28 incident), ensuring the supply of daily necessities such as food and clothing.
The heavy snow caused more than 100 rural power distribution lines in the Yunnan Power Grid to trip. Power supply units in areas such as Dali and Wenshan immediately activated emergency responses, and power repair crews worked overnight to restore service. As of 16:00 on the 16th, over 50 lines had been restored. The main grid of the Yunnan Power Grid remains safe and stable, and power departments are organizing efforts to repair the remaining affected lines.
In response to the severe drop in temperature and rainfall, Yunnan’s meteorological department continuously issued warnings for cold waves, heavy rain, and road icing, providing the public with effective alerts. The meteorological department reminds that starting from the 17th, most parts of Yunnan will experience severe frost, which may cause serious frost damage to economic crops such as flowers, vegetables, and medicinal plants. Tropical crops such as sugarcane, coffee, and rubber in Wenshan, Honghe, Pu'er, and Xishuangbanna will be even more affected, and effective measures should be taken to reduce losses.