According to state media, strong winds impacted the Chinese capital Beijing and parts of northern China on Saturday, causing the withdrawal of thousands of planes, the shutdown of tourist attractions, and the expulsion of train service.
A cold vortex system that had formed over Mongolia and spread across northern China from Friday through the weekend, according to the China Meteorological Administration ( CMA ) claimed the winds were the result of this system.
The CMA predicted that the day of April 12 would bring the strongest winds, with wind velocity at some observation facilities approaching or perhaps surpassing historical records for the same time since 1951.
For the first time in ten years, Beijing issued an orange alert for solid winds over the weekend, its second-highest alert level.
Beijing’s two major international airports, Beijing Capital and Daxing, had cancelled 693 flights by 2:00 PM ( local time ), with officials warning of more severe weather coming in the country’s northern and coastal regions.
According to CCTV, some train services, including the high-speed rail lines and the aircraft convey subway, were suspended as well.
On Saturday, temporary closures of tourist attractions like the Summer Palace, Temple of Heaven, Beijing Zoo, and Universal Studios theme park were likewise reported.
China is the main producer of greenhouse gases, which experts claim are causing climate change and increasing the frequency of extreme conditions.
Northern China, a arid region bordered by the Gobi and Taklamakan Deserts and bordered by grasses, hills, and forests, frequently experiences powerful winds and storms. China has worked for years to stop monsoons from happening, particularly in Beijing, which is close to a dry area. These storms may make people uncomfortable, blow dust into garments, and make the eyes, nose, and ears hurt.
In a number of parts of China, winds last month caused storms, killing several people and forcing hundreds of people to leave their homes.
A bridge in southwestern China collapsed in May after many days of rain, killing 48 people.
