Staff members of Diwopu International Airport deice an airplane in Urumqi, capital of northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, Dec. 11, 2015. A snowstorm hit Urumqi on Dec. 11 and the local meteorological bureau has issued a red alert for snowfall. (File Photo: Xinhua/Jiang Wenyao)

URUMQI, Dec. 4 (Xinhua) -- More than 5,000 passengers were stranded due to heavy snow in Urumqi, capital of northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, authorities said Tuesday.

According to the Diwopu International Airport, a total of 99 inbound and outbound flights have been canceled and 31 outbound flights delayed, leaving more than 5,000 passengers stranded at the airport as of 3:40 p.m.

Five flights had landed at alternative airports, and one returned.

Authorities have alerted passengers to rearrange their schedules.