Severe Winds Disrupt Travel in Beijing as Hundreds of Flights are Grounded

Strong winds hitting Beijing have led to the cancellation of hundreds of flights and train suspensions as the city grapples with rare weather conditions.

Severe winds have wreaked havoc across northern China, particularly in Beijing, where by Saturday morning, 838 flights had been canceled at the city's major airports as gusts reached an alarming 93mph (150kph). This marks the most powerful winds the capital has experienced in over 50 years. Authorities expect these conditions to persist throughout the weekend, which has resulted in the closure of popular attractions and historic sites.

In response to the dangerous weather, residents were advised to stay indoors on Friday; state media even issued warnings that individuals weighing less than 50kg could be at risk of being "easily blown away." Various train services, including express subways linking to the airport, have also been suspended. Parks across the city were shuttered for safety, with proactive measures taken to reinforce or prune trees, though reports indicate that approximately 300 trees have already collapsed due to the intense winds.

As a precautionary measure, local authorities advised Beijing's 22 million residents to limit non-essential travel. Many heeded the warnings, leaving the streets unusually deserted, as reported by an onlooker who described the situation as unsettling yet less severe than anticipated. “Everyone in Beijing was really nervous about it. Today there are hardly any people out on the streets," they stated.

The harsh winds stem from a cold vortex system originating in Mongolia and are projected to last through the weekend. While winds carrying sand and dust from Mongolia typically occur during the spring, climate change has been implicated in intensifying these storms. Beijing has issued its first orange alert for strong winds in a decade, with predictions indicating that the wind speed could reach between levels 11 to 13 on China's meteorological scale—level 11 winds can inflict serious damage, while level 12 is classified as capable of causing extreme destruction. Relief from the severe conditions is expected by Sunday, providing much-needed respite to those stranded by canceled flights and outdoor disruptions.