Forty-four people who were stranded by a blizzard in northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region have been rescued as of March 13, Xinhua News Agency reported.

Passengers in 14 vehicles had been stranded on the 218 national highway in Gongnaisi, Hejing County of Xinjiang, since March 10, when traffic was halted by thick snow blown by gale winds.

Three wrecking cars and snow bulldozers were quickly sent to clear the road as soon as officials got reports of the situation on March 12, local authorities in Xinjiang's Bayinguoleng Mongolian Autonomous Prefecture said.

A herdsman immediately rode a horse to the scene with food and water. As of 5 p.m. on March 13, all the stranded people had gotten food.

As of 9 p.m. on March 13, all the stranded people had been rescued and seven vehicles had left the scene, leaving the other seven vehicles waiting for traffic to resume slowly once the weather improved.

Severe weather had been sweeping the area since March 10, and a sandstorm continued to plague the area through March 13, severely affecting local traffic and agriculture.

(CRIENGLISH.com March 14, 2010)