A heavy snow suddenly hit Ngari Prefecture in western Tibet, with its six counties suffering from snow disasters to varying degrees. Now rescue is well in progress to ensure the security of people's lives and the safety of their property. 

File photo shows workers clearing the snow and ice on a road in Tibet's rural area to keep the traffic moving, photo from chinatibetnews.

Local herdsmen in summer pastures were totally unprepared for the disaster with no winter clothes, for it was not yet time to move to winter pastures. Meanwhile, with the forage shortages resulting from the drought in summer, the livestock failed to grow enough fat to resist the cold weather. Many old, weak and sick domestic animals were exceptionally vulnerable.

On learning of this, the Ngari Prefectural Commissioner's  Office immediately dispatched a work team to organize workers of related departments to launch the rescue operation.

Now roads blocked by the snow have been cleared, and some of the local people and domestic animals transferred. Efforts are being made to cut the losses caused by the disaster to a minimum.