BEIJING: The central Chinese province of Henan is grappling with a winter heating supply shortage as a severe cold wave sweeps through the region, bringing blizzards and pushing temperatures to near-historic lows. Several cities in Henan, including Jiaozuo, are affected by the strain on thermal power suppliers caused by continued cold snaps.
In Jiaozuo, a major supplier of heating boilers, JiaoZuo WanFang Aluminum Manufacturing, has experienced a breakdown in its heating infrastructure. The malfunction has left some areas urgently requiring additional heat supply. Reports indicate that the company is working diligently to rectify the issue and aims to resume the heating supply on December 26.
To manage the situation, Jiaozuo has decided to suspend heat supply for most businesses, excluding essential service providers such as hospitals and senior centers, in order to prioritize residential heat usage. Despite these measures, some residential compounds are expected to be affected during the maintenance period for the heating devices.
Severe Cold Weather in Henan
In addition to Jiaozuo, the cities of Puyang and Pingdingshan in Henan have already taken preventive measures by suspending heat supply to government departments and administrative institutions. This decision is intended to prioritize residential usage, particularly during the extremely cold weather conditions brought about by the cold wave.
The weather forecast indicates that temperatures in Jiaozuo, Puyang, and Pingdingshan are expected to drop below freezing. Moreover, several other areas in Henan are expected to experience temperatures as low as minus 15 degrees Celsius, according to the central province’s weather authority.
