Heavy snow has delayed flights, closed highways and caused injuries in northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region since January 17.

More than 80 people were rescued on January 19 after being stranded for two days on a highway by the blizzard.

Northern areas of Xinjiang suffered from the worst snow seen in 60 years, with drifts accumulating to average depths of 50 cm and one to two meters in mountainous areas.

China's Central Government allocated 124 million yuan ($18.2 million) on January 19 to help people suffering from the extreme winter weather in Xinjiang and Inner Mongolia.