BEIJING: Authorities in northern China warned heavy rains could bring floods and landslides on Wednesday (Jul 24), issuing the country’s second-highest flood response.
China is enduring a summer of extreme weather, with heavy rains across the east and south coming as much of the north has sweltered under successive heatwaves.
And after days of scorching temperatures of over 35 degrees Celsius in Beijing, city authorities on Wednesday triggered the second-highest flood prevention response.
Up to 150ml of rain could drench parts of the capital – home to around 22 million people – in a 24-hour period between Wednesday and Thursday evening, a statement on the city’s official WeChat said.
The downpours could “trigger mountain torrents, mudslides, landslips and other secondary disasters“, it said.
City authorities have ordered the temporary closure of some tourist spots as well as mountain and riverside hostels out of safety concerns, the statement said.
Beijing residents received text messages urging them to reduce outdoor activity, stay away from hilly or riverside areas, and take note of places of shelter.
Authorities in neighbouring Hebei province, which surrounds Beijing and is home to more than 70 million people, also warned of flooding, state news agency Xinhua said.
