Multiple districts across Beijing, issued urgent yellow warnings as torrential downpours struck the Chinese capital, coinciding with nationwide preparations for the approach of Typhoon Dolphin.
Authorities warn residents of disasters including floods in the city centre and also mudslides and landslides in agricultural and mountainous areas.
Beijing’s Dongcheng, Xicheng, Haidian, Chaoyang, Tongzhou and Pinggu districts all issued heavy rain warnings expecting hourly rainfall to exceed 50 millimeters.
The Miyun district in northeast Beijing recorded the heaviest precipitation, reaching 99.5 millimeters ahead of Typhoon Dolphin.
As reported by Reuters, heavy rains and floods in China’s northwestern province of Shaanxi also collapsed roads, damaged bridges, and power and communications infrastructure on Thursday, prompting the evacuation of thousands of people.
City officials have flagged high risks of urban flooding in downtown sectors alongside potential mudslides and landslides across vulnerable mountainous and agricultural belts.
China’s eastern and southern provinces have been preparing for Dolphin, suspending ferry routes, halting construction and evacuating fishing boats.
Authorities reports, more than 2,000 emergency response personnel have been deployed across the city.
As per the current situation, Typhoon Dolphin—the 13th typhoon of the year, re-intensified near Okinawa and is tracking toward China’s eastern coast.
The storm is expected to bring extreme winds up to 70 mph and torrential downpours totaling over 600 mm in some eastern areas.
Authorities have issued a yellow alert, warning of disruptions to transport, utilities, and coastal infrastructure as heavy rains stretch far beyond the immediate landfall zone.
The National Meteorological Center NMC forecasts a landfall between Zhejiang province and Fuqing in Fujian province, expected anywhere from Sunday, August 9 through Monday, August 10.
