标签： Asia

Meteorological authorities have issued warnings as China prepares for its inaugural cold wave of 2026, set to impact the nation from Saturday through Wednesday. The National Meteorological Center forecasts this extensive weather system will deliver substantial precipitation and freezing conditions across multiple regions, with southern areas expected to experience the most severe effects.

Chief Forecaster Zhang Tao indicated central and eastern China will encounter their most significant winter conditions to date, with temperature reductions ranging from 6°C to 10°C throughout most affected areas. Certain localized regions may experience dramatic drops exceeding 12°C, creating potentially hazardous circumstances.

Provincial authorities in Shaanxi, Shanxi, Henan, Shandong, Hubei, Hunan, and Anhui have been placed on high alert due to anticipated heavy snowfall and low-temperature freezing hazards. Meteorological models suggest these regions will face moderate to heavy snow accumulation, with select areas confronting medium-to-high risk scenarios for freezing rain and ice formation.

Between Monday and Wednesday, meteorological experts project possible freezing rain events in portions of Henan, Hubei, Hunan, Chongqing, and Guizhou. While northeastern territories are expected to experience comparatively milder conditions, southern China—particularly the middle and lower Yangtze River basins—will endure the most pronounced temperature decreases. Recent warming trends in these areas could amplify the thermal shock, with some locations potentially facing declines up to 16°C.

The precipitation system is forecast to cover extensive geographical areas and maintain persistence as it gradually progresses southward alongside advancing cold air masses. Although overall precipitation intensity isn’t predicted to reach extreme levels, numerous regions will likely experience consecutive days of precipitation.

Forecasters specifically highlight concerns regarding complex and rapidly transitioning precipitation types, with many areas expected to undergo successive changes from rain to sleet, freezing rain, ice pellets, and eventually snow. Transportation networks, power infrastructure, and public safety systems face particular challenges from the anticipated freezing rain, which authorities consider more threatening than heavy snowfall in terms of potential disruption.

A significant power outage paralyzed central Tokyo’s rail network during Friday’s morning commute after an electrical transformer fire erupted along critical tracks. The incident, occurring near Tamachi Station at approximately 8:00 AM local time, forced the complete suspension of East Japan Railway’s Yamanote and Keihin-Tohoku lines—two of the world’s most heavily trafficked commuter routes.

Eyewitness footage from NTV network captured the dramatic scene as hundreds of passengers evacuated from stranded trains between stations, guided to safety along the tracks by emergency responders and railway personnel. The flames, originating from track-side electrical equipment, were largely contained within thirty minutes according to NHK public broadcasting.

The disruption impacted some of Japan’s busiest transportation hubs, including Shinjuku Station which typically processes 3.5 million daily passengers, and major terminals in Tokyo and Yokohama. Railway officials initially provided no estimated restoration timeline, leaving thousands of commuters seeking alternative arrangements during the peak travel period.

The incident highlights the vulnerability of urban mass transit systems to infrastructure failures, particularly in megacities like Tokyo where rail networks form the backbone of daily transportation. While no injuries were immediately reported, the event triggered widespread commute disruptions across the metropolitan area.

A significant fire engulfed Guryong Village, an impoverished enclave within Seoul’s affluent Gangnam district, early Friday morning, prompting a massive emergency response. Approximately 300 firefighters mobilized to combat the blaze that broke out around 5:10 AM local time (2010 GMT Thursday), with authorities subsequently elevating the fire alert to the second-highest level amid concerns the flames could spread to adjacent mountainous terrain.

Fire and disaster officials confirmed the evacuation of 47 residents from the affected area, with no immediate reports of casualties. Yonhap News Agency indicated approximately 110 individuals were residing in the fire-impacted zone. Emergency efforts faced substantial challenges as dense haze and fine dust pollution prevented the deployment of firefighting helicopters, forcing crews to rely solely on ground operations with 85 fire trucks.

Elderly residents, many wearing protective masks, were witnessed fleeing their homes as thick black smoke billowed over the neighborhood. Kim Ok-im, a 69-year-old longtime resident, described waking to a neighbor’s alert and discovering rapidly spreading flames. ‘A few years ago, a flood swept everything away, and now it feels like fire will take the rest,’ she expressed, voicing concerns about potential homelessness.

South Korean Safety Minister Yun Ho-jung directed officials to deploy all available personnel and equipment prioritizing life rescue and fire containment operations. The incident highlights the persistent vulnerabilities of Guryong Village, often described as Seoul’s largest remaining shantytown. This informal settlement emerged decades ago when families displaced by public works projects—including preparations for the 1986 Asian Games and 1988 Seoul Olympics—established unauthorized dwellings on Gangnam’s periphery.

The area’s structural characteristics contribute significantly to fire risks, with makeshift homes densely packed and constructed from highly combustible materials including vinyl sheets, plywood, and Styrofoam. These vulnerabilities were previously documented in fire department assessments following a 2023 blaze. While most residents have relocated ahead of planned redevelopment into high-rise residential complexes, approximately 336 households remained in the village according to Gangnam District urban planning authorities.

A South Korean social media influencer’s enthusiastic endorsement of a regional Chinese street food has ignited cross-cultural culinary excitement. Kim Jun-hyeok, a former international student at Ningxia University, recently revisited Yinchuan where he discovered lahuhu, a distinctive noodle dish from Northwest China’s Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region.

His spontaneous reaction to the vibrant red broth at a roadside stall was captured on video and subsequently went viral across multiple platforms. Initially anticipating overwhelming spiciness, Kim expressed surprise at the dish’s complex flavor profile. “The visual intensity suggests extreme heat, but the actual experience is remarkably balanced,” he observed during the tasting. “The chili delivers aromatic warmth rather than pure burning sensation, creating a genuinely comforting culinary experience.”

Lahuhu represents a unique chapter in China’s street food history, originating in the 1980s as mala chuan (spicy skewers) before evolving into its current form. The dish features a thick, paste-like broth crafted from finely milled chili peppers blended with toasted sesame and wheat flour. Ingredients including chewy wheat gluten noodles and thinly sliced potatoes are simmered directly in the rich sauce.

The dish’s culinary signature lies in its distinct jiao characteristic—a Chinese gastronomic term describing the lightly toasted, smoky aroma achieved through precision-frying of chili powder in oil. This technique creates depth and warmth without excessive heat.

Kim’s culinary journey through Ningxia continues beyond this discovery, with the influencer noting his growing appreciation for the region’s noodle traditions. He plans to further explore local cuisine while sharing his gastronomic adventures with his online audience, potentially paving the way for cross-cultural culinary exchange between China and South Korea.