Millions begin China holiday without power

By Chris Buckley

Scores have died in snow-related accidents in the run-up to the Lunar New Year break, one of the greatest annual migrations of humanity, with the traditional travel chaos compounded by the coldest winter in 100 years across vast swathes of the south, centre and east.

Chenzhou, a city in the central province of Hunan and the worst hit, began its 12th day without power on Wednesday after a short-lived resumption on Tuesday night.

More than 5,000 electricians, including 2,000 summoned from other provinces, were struggling to repair damaged lines.

"Chenzhou residents have to collect coal and charcoal to warm themselves, which caused prices to surge tenfold."

HOLIDAY MISERY

Many mostly poor, migrant workers had already given up trying to get a ticket and opted to stay put. "Millions of Chinese had to say 'sorry' to their loved ones," Xinhua said.

Premier Wen Jiabao flew to Guizhou to exhort power workers on Tuesday after a speech at the Great Hall of the People in which said rescue efforts were at a "critical" stage.

"I guess we'll have to have the new year celebrations in darkness." he said. "We can't afford candles."

And firecrackers, which will explode through the night across China and for much of the next 10 days, had started in villages in the prefecture of Tongren, further east towards Hunan, which has also been without power since January.

She also said the children had complained they would not be able to watch the traditional state TV entertainment special, often described as the most watched on Earth.

"Please set off fireworks in a legal, civilised and safe manner," it said.