The energy crisis struck as the government was already struggling to ease shortages of pork, grain, and other food items that have set off a sharp rise in inflation.
On Friday, the Cabinet ordered local authorities to ensure adequate food supplies to keep prices stable ahead of the Chinese New Year.
At Guangzhou's train station, officials scrambled to control the crowds and find temporary shelter for the migrant workers in schools and convention centers. Police blew whistles and barked orders into bull horns as soldiers stood guard at key spots around the station.
Many of the workers were stoic or cheerful, accustomed to huge crowds, discomforts, and long delays that are common in the lives of China's impoverished classes.
One young mother who would give only her surname, Yang, spent the night on the street in front of the station with her 7-month-old daughter. The ground around her was littered with chicken bones, sunflower seed shells, and cigarette butts.
Yang said her morning train was canceled and she would probably have to cancel her holiday visit with her family in neighboring Jiangxi province.
She said she would probably spend the holiday in her small apartment in nearby Foshan city, where she works in a factory that makes digital cameras.
"There's no reason to get upset about this or blame anyone," Yang said. "It's just the weather's fault."
Copyright 2008 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Free Email News Updates
Sign up for our Inside National Geographic newsletter. Every two weeks we'll send you our top stories and pictures (see sample).
