In brief
Beijing struggles under the impact of unprecedented wind speeds, prompting residents to remain indoors as transport systems face significant disruptions.
Hundreds of flights have been grounded and train services suspended in Beijing and northern China due to extreme wind conditions hitting the region on Saturday. As of 11:30 AM local time (03:30 GMT), reports indicated that 838 flights were cancelled across the capital’s two primary airports, according to data from Reuters.Wind gusts surged to 93 mph (150 kph) — a record not experienced in the Chinese capital for over fifty years — and are predicted to persist through the weekend, forcing the closure of popular attractions and historical sites. Residents were advised to remain indoors starting Friday, with state media cautioning that individuals weighing under 50 kg might be "easily blown away."Transportation networks have been severely impacted, with both the express subway line to the airport and several high-speed rail connections temporarily halted. Parks have closed their gates, and emergency preparations led to the reinforcement of older trees; however, around 300 trees have already succumbed to the fierce winds.Despite damage to vehicles, no injuries were reported. The majority of Beijing’s 22 million residents adhered to advisories to avoid non-essential travel, though locals shared mixed feelings about the severity of the storm. One resident noted, “Everyone in Beijing was really nervous about it, with hardly any activity in the streets, though the situation was not as dire as I had imagined."Travelers are facing disruptions as well, with many flights cancelled. A businessman from Zhejiang province lamented, “All flights scheduled for last night and today were cancelled. I’ll need to rebook my flight in a few days, effectively leaving me stranded in Beijing.”The gusty winds are associated with a cold vortex system originating from Mongolia, with an orange alert for strong winds issued in Beijing, a first in a decade. China’s wind speed measurement classifies levels from 1 to 17, with the forecast indicating winds of level 11 to 13 this weekend, which pose a significant risk of substantial damage, yet conditions are expected to improve by Sunday.
