Millions left stranded as heavy snowfall cripples China

Guangzhou: Millions of people in China shivered through power cuts and water shortages on Wednesday while left stranded by snow ahead of what for some is the only holiday of the year.

The Chinese New Year holiday is the only time of the year migrant workers, who leave home to work in fast paced cities, can reunite and spend with their families.

Migrant workers in the booming city of Guangzhou have been urged to abandon their plans to revisit their families.

About 50 people have died the start of the severe weather conditions.

25 people died on Tuesday in a bus crash on an icy mountain road. Premier Wen Jiabao apologised to stranded passengers ahead of the holiday, which starts next Wednesday.

Other weather related deaths included an electrician who died of a heart attack on the top of a 21-metre electricity pylon, while another died after falling from a broken power pole, reported the Xinhua news agency.