Importance Score: 55 / 100 π΅
Severe Gales Disrupt Beijing and Northern China, Triggering Flight Cancellations and Travel Chaos
Beijing, China faced widespread disruptions on Saturday as severe gales swept through the capital and northern China, leading to the grounding of hundreds of flights and suspension of train services. The extreme weather event prompted safety warnings and the closure of public spaces.
Flight Disruption and Record Winds
By 11:30 local time (03:30 GMT) Saturday, flight cancellations at Beijing’s two major airports had soared to 838, as reported by Reuters. This massive disruption stemmed from exceptionally strong winds, with gusts reaching a peak of 150 kph (93 mph). These are the most powerful winds to impact the Chinese capital in over half a century and are expected to persist throughout the weekend, forcing the shutdown of tourist sites and historical landmarks.
Public Safety Measures and Disruptions
Public Advised to Stay Indoors
Millions of residents were urged to remain indoors starting Friday, with state media outlets issuing stark warnings that individuals weighing under 50kg could be “easily blown away” by the forceful gusts. City authorities in Beijing, a metropolis of 22 million, advised residents to avoid all non-essential travel. The majority of the populace heeded these warnings, resulting in noticeably deserted streets.
Transportation and Public Space Closures
The powerful winds caused significant interruptions across transportation networks and public amenities:
- Train services, encompassing the airport express subway line and several high-speed rail routes, were halted.
- Parks throughout the city were closed to the public.
- Despite precautionary measures to reinforce and trim old trees, nearly 300 trees were uprooted in the capital.
While a number of vehicles sustained damage from falling debris, there were no reports of injuries.
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Traveler Accounts and Weather System Details
Traveler Stranded Amid Cancellations
The extensive flight cancellations left numerous travelers in disarray. One businessman from Zhejiang province, whose flight back home was cancelled, described himself as “basically stranded in Beijing” and anticipates rescheduling his flight in the coming days.
Origin and Duration of the Gales
These intense winds originate from a cold vortex system situated over Mongolia and are forecast to continue impacting the region throughout the weekend. Beijing issued an orange alert for strong winds β the highest such warning in a decade β with the most severe gusts anticipated on Saturday.
Wind Scale and Forecast
China utilizes a wind scale ranging from level 1 to 17 to categorize wind intensity. According to the China Meteorological Administration, level 11 winds can inflict “serious damage,” while level 12 winds are capable of “extreme destruction.”
The current wind event is expected to fluctuate between level 11 and 13, with weather conditions anticipated to improve by Sunday.