Unprecedented Weather Hits China's Capital

BEIJING: A fierce weather system has gripped China's capital, bringing howling winds and dramatically dropping temperatures. On April 12, Beijing fortressed itself as unusually strong typhoon-like gales swept through, causing historic sites to shut down and travel disruptions throughout the region.

These gusts, fueled by a cold vortex from Mongolia, have plummeted temperatures by over 12 degrees Celsius, leading to unexpected late snowfalls and hailstorms in different parts of the country.

A Rare Gale Alarm for 22 Million Residents

In an alarming move, authorities issued the second-highest gale alert for the first time in a decade, advising 22 million residents of Beijing to steer clear of non-essential travel. With gusts reaching up to a staggering 150 kph, the winds threaten to break April records that have stood since 1951.

Major Flight Disruptions and Tourist Site Closures

By midday, the chaos was palpable, with 838 flights canceled at Beijing's main airports, confirmed by the Flight Master tracking app. Famous tourist attractions like the Summer Palace, Temple of Heaven, and even Universal Studios were forced to close their gates.

Authorities took precautionary measures, trimming almost 300 trees around the city to mitigate the impact of the winds. While heavy damage was reported—19 vehicles were harmed and numerous trees uprooted—no injuries had been recorded as of yet, according to CCTV.

Suspended Services and Technology Showdowns Postponed

Train operations, including the airport express subway and various high-speed rail lines, encountered suspensions as well. In a unique twist, a half-marathon scheduled for the weekend, featuring humanoid robots competing against human runners, was postponed—much to the disappointment of tech enthusiasts.

Environmental Changes Intensify Weather Extremes

The gales have not only wreaked havoc in Beijing but also caused sandstorms stretching from Inner Mongolia to the Yangtze River region, disrupting road travel across eight provinces. While spring winds carrying sand and dust are common, experts note that climate change is making such extreme weather events increasingly frequent.

As the world’s largest emitter of greenhouse gases, China finds itself at the crux of an escalating climate crisis—last year saw severe flooding leading to dozens of fatalities and massive evacuations across the country.

May brought tragedy once more as a highway in southern China collapsed after relentless rain, resulting in 48 lives lost. With each weather event, the urgency to address climate change intensifies.