The first snow of the year in Lichuan city, central China's Hubei Province, on December 10 downed power lines and cut off roads. Electricians have been working to recover the power supply.
Located in the western part of Hubei Province, Lichuan city has an average altitude of above 1,700 meters. People living in the rural areas of this city normally scatter around the stiff mountains where roads can be easily cut off on rainy or snowy days.
Treacherous road conditions after snow in Lichuan /CGTN Photo
Power pole brought down by a heavy power line at the weight of snow. /CGTN photo
On December 12, two days after the heavy snow hit the city, electricians of State Grid Lichuan Power Supply Company made a trail onto the mountaintop where the power grid transmission tower was isolated by the snowstorm.
After a whole day's inspection and overhaul, the repair team finally helped resume the much-needed power supply for local residents.
Electricians working in mountainous areas often face tough challenges.
Electricians of State Grid Lichuan Branch working in freezing cold /CGTN Photo
This summer, CGTN filmed a group of electricians in Lichuan trying to bridge the last gap of electricity need in rural areas by connecting a cliff village into the power grid.
Every piece of material needed, including the power pole, is carried all the way up to the mountain top by hands because no the trail is accessible due to the local condition.
Winter is a season when power lines are vulnerable under snowstorms but consumption is huge. Repairing power lines up on the mountains can be a grave challenge and sometimes dangerous, but local electricians need to stand by for any calls for help in order to ensure power supply at all times.