In brief
In light of severe winds reaching up to 93 mph, Beijing's airports cancel hundreds of flights, while authorities warn residents to remain indoors. The winds are among the strongest recorded in decades and are anticipated to continue impacting the city through the weekend.
Hundreds of flights were canceled and train services suspended in Beijing and northern China as a powerful windstorm swept through the region on Saturday. By the early morning hours, 838 flights had been scrapped at the city's two primary airports, as reported by Reuters.The gales, reaching gusts of up to 93 mph (150 kph), are recorded as the most forceful to hit the Chinese capital in over fifty years, with expectations of continued strong winds into Sunday. The city’s attractions and historical sites were shut down as millions were advised to remain indoors. State media heightened safety concerns by suggesting that individuals weighing less than 50 kg could potentially be "easily blown away."Train services—including express subway lines between the airport and downtown—were suspended, with park closures also enacted as a precautionary measure. While authorities took steps to brace old trees, nearly 300 were reported downed due to the strong winds, although no injuries have been documented. Most residents adhered to authorities’ counsel to minimize outdoor activity, leading to eerily quiet streets in a city of 22 million. "I felt nervous about the wind. Today, there are hardly any people out on the streets. However, it wasn't as severe as I had imagined," shared a local who preferred to stay at home on this tumultuous day.For travelers affected by the weather, a businessman from Zhejiang province experienced the immediate ramifications, indicating, "All flights scheduled for last night and today were canceled, leaving me stranded in Beijing." The fierce conditions are attributed to a cold vortex system originating from Mongolia, with wind patterns bringing sand and dust traditionally observed in spring months—though climate change has augmented severity and frequency of these storms.Beijing has not issued a wind alert this severe in ten years. The China Meteorological Administration categorizes wind velocity on a scale from one to 17, with this weekend's winds predicted to reach levels 11 to 13. A level 11 wind poses the potential for "serious damage," while a level 12 can lead to "extreme destruction."
