Strong Winds Cause Disruption in Beijing: Hundreds of Flights Cancelled

The recent strong winds hitting Beijing have led to widespread disruptions, with hundreds of flights cancelled and extensive travel advisories issued.

Hundreds of flights were grounded on Saturday as fierce winds swept through Beijing and northern regions of China, marking the most severe gusts the capital has faced in over fifty years. By 11:30 AM local time, reports indicated that 838 flights were cancelled at Beijing's main airports, a situation that has seriously impacted both local and inbound travel plans. The winds, with gusts reaching up to 93 mph (150 kph), forced authorities to close parks and historic sites, and trains, including airport express and some high-speed rail services, were suspended.

Residents were urged to remain indoors, as local media warned about the dangers posed by the harsh winds, predicting that individuals weighing under 50 kg could be swept away. Despite the gravity of the warning, many citizens noted that while the conditions were unsettling, they were not as catastrophic as anticipated. One local resident remarked on the subdued atmosphere in the city, where streets were largely deserted in compliance with authorities' advisory against unnecessary travel. A stranded businessman from Zhejiang province expressed his frustration over the flight cancellations that left him unable to return home.

The unseasonably strong winds have been attributed to a cold vortex system originating from Mongolia. While spring seasons in China typically bring sandy gusts from the north, climate change has the potential to amplify storm conditions, resulting in more intense weather events. For the first time in a decade, Beijing issued an orange alert for strong winds, with meteorologists warning that the wind conditions could register as high as level 13 on China's wind scale—indicating extreme destructive potential. It is anticipated that the winds will gradually subside by Sunday, returning to more typical weather patterns.