Beijing and northern China are grappling with extraordinarily strong winds, resulting in 838 flight cancellations and halted train services as authorities urge citizens to prioritize safety during this severe weather event.
Severe Winds Cancel Flights and Disrupt Transportation Across Beijing
Severe Winds Cancel Flights and Disrupt Transportation Across Beijing
Extreme gusts have led to hundreds of flight cancellations and train suspensions as residents heed warnings to stay indoors.
Hundreds of flights have been grounded and train operations disrupted in Beijing and nearby northern regions as a violent windstorm struck on Saturday. By mid-morning local time (03:30 GMT), reports indicated that a staggering 838 flights had been cancelled at the city's two main airports, according to data from the Reuters news agency. The wind, with gusts reaching up to 93 mph (150 kph), represents the most intense conditions experienced in the Chinese capital in over 50 years, with forecasts predicting that the strong winds will endure throughout the weekend.
As a safety precaution, residents were advised to remain indoors; state media warnings suggested that individuals weighing under 50kg could be "easily swept away." The high winds prompted the suspension of various transportation services, including the express subway to the airport and numerous high-speed rail lines. Many city parks were also closed, with authorities taking preventive measures such as reinforcing or trimming trees, yet nearly 300 have succumbed to the conditions and fallen.
While reports of damage to vehicles emerged, there were no injuries reported so far. Observers noted a significant decrease in street activity as authorities urged Beijing's 22 million residents to avoid any unnecessary travel. One local expressed concern, stating that the atmosphere in the city felt tense, though the severity was not as anticipated. Additionally, a businessman from Zhejiang province described the hardships of having his flight canceled and facing uncertainty about his return home.
The unusually strong winds have been linked to a cold vortex system originating from Mongolia and are predicted to extend into Sunday. Notably, Beijing issued its first orange alert for high winds in a decade, with winds forecasted to reach levels between 11 to 13 on China's meteorological scale—where level 11 signifies "serious damage" and level 12 indicates "extreme destruction."
