In brief
As wind gusts of up to 93mph affect the capital, authorities have urged residents to remain indoors and avoid non-essential travel.
Hundreds of flights have been cancelled and train services suspended in Beijing and northern China over the weekend due to severe winds. As of 11:30 local time on Saturday, reports indicated that 838 flights were grounded at Beijing's two main airports, according to Reuters. Wind gusts measuring up to 93 mph (150 kph) are among the highest recorded in the capital in over fifty years and are anticipated to persist throughout the weekend. Authorities have closed various attractions and historic sites, advising millions to stay safe indoors. State media even cautioned that residents weighing less than 50kg could potentially be "easily blown away." In addition to air travel disruptions, train services, including the airport express subway and certain high-speed rail lines, were stopped. Parks have been closed, and while many old trees were shored up or pruned, almost 300 trees have toppled over due to the high winds. Reports indicate damage to numerous vehicles, but thankfully no injuries have surfaced. Many Beijing residents adhered to safety guidelines, with few venturing outside. A local shared that, although it was quite an eerie atmosphere with few people around, the situation wasn't as severe as initially feared. In contrast, a traveler from Zhejiang province expressed frustration after his flight home was cancelled and described being stranded in Beijing. The strong winds have been linked to a cold vortex system originating from Mongolia and are predicted to continue impacting the city through the weekend. Beijing activated its first orange alert for stark winds in a decade, with today’s winds expected at levels ranging from 11 to 13 on China's wind scale, where level 11 signifies "serious damage" and level 12 indicates "extreme destruction." Weather conditions are expected to improve by Sunday.
