Beijing’s two major airports canceled nearly 1,000 flights Saturday after powerful winds swept through the Chinese capital. The gusts, which reached speeds of up to 150 kilometers per hour, were the strongest in over 50 years.
Disruption and Damage
The severe weather prompted authorities to issue a warning to the city’s 22 million residents, advising them to stay indoors unless absolutely necessary. People weighing less than 50 kilograms were considered at risk of being blown away. Train services, including high-speed and airport express trains, were disrupted, with some canceled altogether. Several popular tourist sites and historical landmarks were also closed.
- Nearly 300 trees were reported felled across the city.
- Some vehicles were damaged.
- Parks were shut down.
- Old trees were reinforced or trimmed to minimize wind damage.
The strong winds were caused by a cold air mass from Mongolia, which is a common occurrence in spring. However, this year’s event was particularly intense. Beijing issued its first orange alert for high winds in a decade. Authorities expect the situation to ease by Sunday.
According to BBC, the weather forecast warned of continued strong winds throughout the weekend.
