What Led to Beijing's Highest Rainstorm Alert?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Beijing's red alert indicates severe weather conditions.
- Areas like Miyun District are at high risk for flooding.
- Safety precautions are essential during thunderstorms.
- Emergency responses are being activated across affected regions.
- Past rainstorms have had devastating impacts on local communities.
Beijing, Aug 4 (NationPress) Officials in Beijing have escalated the rainstorm alert on Monday following a week of severe downpours that caused significant disruptions in the Chinese capital.
At 1 pm, the city's meteorological department issued a red alert for rainstorms, marking the highest level in China's alert system, predicting intense rainfall across the city from noon until Tuesday morning.
Many areas are expected to receive more than 100 mm of rain within six hours, while some regions could see over 200 mm.
Simultaneously, the Beijing water authority and meteorological service have released flood warnings, identifying Miyun District as particularly at risk, along with Fangshan, Mentougou, and Huairou.
Several districts in Beijing, including Shijingshan, Fengtai, Huairou, Fangshan, and Mentougou, have declared red alerts for rainstorms, as mountainous regions in these areas face elevated threats of flash floods, mudslides, and landslides.
Residents are advised to seek shelter during thunderstorms, refrain from driving on flooded roads, and avoid mountainous and riverside areas, as reported by Xinhua news agency.
The nearby Tianjin Municipality issued a yellow alert at 10:40 am, predicting heavy rains and strong winds from Monday evening into the night.
Yesterday, intense rainfall affected various regions in China, resulting in road collapses, evacuations, and increased flood hazards, prompting authorities to elevate emergency response levels and caution against more downpours.
In Guangdong Province, heavy rains caused 54 road collapses and led to the evacuation of over 300 residents in the counties of Fengkai and Huaiji in Zhaoqing City over the weekend.
Rainfall peaked at 258.7 millimeters in Nanfeng Township, according to meteorological reports. Red alerts, signifying the highest level for rainstorms, were announced in both counties on Sunday morning.
Emergency teams have been dispatched to repair damaged roads, while local officials have urged residents to stay alert for potential flash floods and landslides, with more rain anticipated in the upcoming days.
Guangdong Province has activated a Level-IV emergency response in preparation for severe rain. Areas in coastal cities and counties in eastern Guangdong and the southern Pearl River Delta are expected to face extraordinarily heavy rainfall.
Last week's severe rainstorms in Beijing resulted in 44 fatalities, affected over 300,000 residents, and damaged approximately 24,000 homes.