Concern for the safety of herds-people and their livestock is rising in the blizzard-hit Altay Prefecture of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region in northwest China. Another heavy snowfall on Saturday made conditions worse, local officials said. Some 300 local officials have been organized to take feed to the livestock.

Several farming counties in Altay Prefecture have been experiencing heavy snow and freezing temperatures since January leaving herds-people and their livestock stranded in winter pastures.

In Fuyun County, one of the most seriously affected counties in Altay, thick snow is preventing 120,000 head of livestock in winter pastures from finding sufficient food. The herds-people and their livestock have been moving to safer ground but many animals died on route, said Shakarm, a herdsman in Fuyun County.

More snowfall is expected in March and there is only enough feed for half a month, local officials said. "More livestock will die if there is not sufficient feed," said Shakarm.

Local governments are calling for further relief efforts especially the supply of food for the herds-people and their livestock.

(Xinhua News Agency February 27, 2006)