200mm in 24 Hours: Beijing Braces for Dangerous Downpour
News Desk
Beijing: Authorities in Beijing have stepped up emergency preparations as the Chinese capital braces for a prolonged spell of torrential rain, with some areas expected to receive more than 150 millimetres of rainfall within 24 hours.
The Chinese Meteorological Department said heavy rain was forecast across most parts of Beijing from Tuesday evening through Thursday. Rainfall could exceed 100mm in some areas within six hours, while several districts may record totals approaching 200mm over a 24-hour period.
Tongzhou, Daxing, Fangshan, Mentougou, Huairou and Fengtai are among the areas expected to receive particularly heavy rainfall.
The forecast has raised concerns over urban flooding and flash floods in mountainous parts of the capital, prompting authorities to activate precautionary measures.
Officials in Beijing’s mountainous Mentougou district issued the highest-level flood emergency alert on Tuesday, urging residents to avoid unnecessary travel and stay away from rivers, streams and mountainous areas.
Authorities warned that intense rainfall could lead to rapid water accumulation in urban areas, while steep terrain could increase the risk of flash floods and other rain-related disasters.
Residents have been instructed to closely monitor weather updates and comply with safety directions issued by local authorities.
The scale of the expected rainfall is particularly significant for Beijing, which receives an average of around 528mm of rain annually, with most precipitation occurring between June and September. In some districts, a single day’s rainfall could therefore amount to more than one-third of the city’s average annual precipitation.
Meteorological experts attributed the unusual weather pattern to the interaction between moisture associated with Typhoon Dolphin in southern China and cold air moving down from northern China.
The combination has created favourable conditions for the development of widespread and intense rainfall over Beijing and surrounding areas.
The latest warning comes as authorities across northern China remain on alert for severe weather and possible flooding, with emergency agencies preparing to respond to potential disruptions caused by the heavy rains.
