Cold wave continues across Europe and China

Snow-storms and freezing temperatures continued to disrupt travel, work and schools across Europe. In the UK Gatwick Airport re-opened after being closed for the past two days. But passengers faced delays and cancellations. Rail and bus services faced massive disruptions and hundreds of schools were closed.

Roads in Britain were blocked, airports closed, trains off track. Government has ordered an enquiry to see why a little snow and more than a little unusually cold temperatures should simply bring the country to a stand still.

A passenger, Kate Frost, saying: "We are hoping to get away tomorrow, that's what we've been told, but people were told that a few days ago and they still haven't gone."

Limited flights have resumed amidst the rough weather as London's Gatwick airport reopened after 2 days of closure, but airport officials have warned of severe delays in the coming days.

More than 60 people have lost their lives so far. Compounding problems is the flood in some parts of Europe. In Italy the historical Centre of Venice was flooded after days of heavy rain.

Besides Europe, China is also reeling under a cold wave. The country's northern region is under a heavy snow blanket. The snow fall began 2 days ago and continues unabated.

Temperatures dropped to minus 22 degrees Celsius, the lowest this winter. Blizzard conditions reduced visibility to about 100 meters. All traffic came to a standstill.

The snow began to fall in China's Heilongjiang province and Inner Mongolian on Thursday evening and continued to accumulate until Friday morning.

In some areas snowfall had reached 17 millimeters, affecting much of the transportation in the area. In Heilongjiang, all bus routes were temporarily stopped, putting a hold on travel plans throughout the area.