URUMQI, May 7 (Xinhua) -- Hurricane-force winds forced four passenger trains to stop at stations in southern part of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region Monday morning.

　　The passenger trains were en route to or would pass through stations in the city of Turpan and the city's Toksun County when they had to seek shelter, according to local railway authorities.

　　The wind speeds recorded in the area, which is part of the Gobi desert and sparsely populated, exceeded 32 meters per second.

　　The authorities activated an emergency plan to provide food and water for the stranded passengers.