Hundreds of flights have been cancelled and train services suspended across Beijing and northern China as a powerful windstorm has struck the region. By the morning of Saturday, April 12th, 838 flights had been called off at the capital’s two major airports. Wind gusts reaching speeds of up to 93mph (150kph) have been recorded, marking the strongest winds in Beijing in over 50 years. These conditions are forecast to persist through the weekend, leading to the closure of various attractions and historical sites throughout the city.
As the storm intensified, millions of people were urged to stay indoors. Authorities warned that wind conditions were so severe that individuals weighing less than 50kg could be “easily blown away.” In addition to the disruptions to air travel, train services were also affected. This included suspensions to the express subway line that connects Beijing’s airport to the city center, as well as some high-speed rail routes. Parks and outdoor spaces were closed to the public, with officials taking preventive measures such as reinforcing and trimming old trees to minimize the damage from the gusts. Despite these precautions, nearly 300 trees had already been uprooted by the force of the winds.
Damage to vehicles was reported, although no injuries were sustained. In response to the extreme conditions, the majority of Beijing’s 22 million residents followed government advice to avoid non-essential travel, resulting in quiet streets and empty public spaces. One local resident shared their experience, noting that while the situation caused significant anxiety, the winds were not as catastrophic as had been initially feared. The calm after the worst of the storm allowed some to venture out, though many remained cautious due to the continuing gusts.
For travelers, the impact of the storm was severe. A businessman from Zhejiang province, near Shanghai, found himself stranded in Beijing after his flight was cancelled. He explained that all flights scheduled for the previous evening and that morning had been grounded due to the dangerous weather conditions, leaving him with no choice but to rebook his travel for a later date.
The strong winds were linked to a cold vortex system originating from Mongolia, and these weather patterns are expected to last through the weekend. Winds carrying dust and sand from Mongolia are a regular occurrence in China during the spring months, but climate change has been identified as a factor that could exacerbate the intensity and frequency of such storms. Authorities in Beijing issued the first orange alert for strong winds in a decade, indicating the severity of the event. According to the China Meteorological Administration, the wind speeds during the storm were expected to reach levels between 11 and 13 on China’s wind scale. A level 11 wind can cause “serious damage,” while a level 12 wind is considered to bring “extreme destruction.”
As the storm begins to subside, conditions are expected to ease by Sunday, though the aftermath of the gales will likely continue to affect the city’s infrastructure and daily life for some time.
