As strong winds uproot trees and cause substantial damage in northern China, authorities urge residents to remain indoors amid safety concerns and severe weather warnings.
Northern China Faces Unprecedented Winds, Residents Ordered Indoors
Northern China Faces Unprecedented Winds, Residents Ordered Indoors
Beijing anticipates the strongest April winds in 70 years, with widespread disruption and tree damage across the region.
Beijing's 22 million residents were advised to stay inside on Saturday as extreme winds wreaked havoc across northern China. These winds, expected to be the strongest in April since 1951, disrupted daily life with uprooted trees, travel delays, and dust storms throughout the region.
Forecasters indicated that winds could reach speeds of 83 to 92 miles per hour, fueled by a polar vortex originating in Mongolia. The city was already feeling the effects on Friday, with over 400 trees reported down and nearly 7,000 people evacuated by Saturday morning, as state media reported.
By the afternoon, dust storms intensified across the northern part of the country, including within Beijing itself. “The wind sounded like ghosts wailing and wolves howling,” remarked Yang Bobo, a finance postgraduate student in the city. “I decided to stay indoors, valuing my safety above all.”
The gusty conditions shook windows in Beijing and damaged utility infrastructure and buildings throughout central China's Henan Province. City officials recommended avoiding nonessential travel, leading to the postponement of several sporting events, including soccer matches. Furthermore, transportation officials suspended services for trains and buses, and the main international airport issued warnings about potential flight cancellations.
China Southern Airlines reported the cancellation of 340 flights due to the severe weather conditions. A marathon set for Sunday was also postponed, as authorities directed attention to ensuring public safety.
Following a series of warm 80-degree days in Beijing, temperatures were projected to plummet to just 57 degrees Fahrenheit. Strong winds were expected to impact other nearby regions, including Shanxi and Hebei, as well as China's Inner Mongolia. Meteorological agencies in South Korea and Japan also issued alerts on Saturday for strong winds that were linked to the same meteorological disturbances over Mongolia, showcasing the widespread impact of this weather system.
John Yoon reports from Seoul, covering vital current events for readers across the globe.
