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Extreme Winds Expected in Northern China
As northern China prepares for a weekend of severe weather, authorities have issued urgent warnings advising residents to stay indoors. Workers are being sent home, educational institutions have suspended classes, and outdoor events have been canceled in anticipation of hazardous conditions.
State media reports indicate that millions of people have been urged to remain inside due to the potentially dangerous winds, with specific warnings suggesting that individuals weighing under 50 kg (110 lbs) could be at risk of being “easily blown away.”
Winds anticipated to reach speeds of 150 kph (93 mph) are forecasted to impact areas including Beijing, Tianjin, and regions within Hebei, as a cold vortex shifts southeastward from Mongolia. This development follows the issuance of an orange alert for gales in Beijing, marking the first such alert in a decade and denoting the second-highest level in the country’s four-tier weather warning system.
While strong winds from Mongolia are typical during this time of year, meteorologists predict that the upcoming gusts could surpass recent years in intensity. Authorities note that temperatures in Beijing are expected to plummet by 13 degrees Celsius within a 24-hour span, coinciding with the peak of the winds on Saturday.
The Beijing Meteorological Service characterized the impending weather as “extreme,” highlighting that it will last for an extended period, affect a broad area, and pose significant risks to safety. Wind speeds in China are classified on a scale from level 1 to level 17, with level 11 indicating potential for “serious damage” and level 12 signaling “extreme destruction.” This weekend’s winds are predicted to register between level 11 and level 13.
In light of the severe weather, numerous sporting events have been delayed, including a notable humanoid robot half marathon, now rescheduled for April 19. Additionally, parks and tourism sites have closed, and residents have been warned to avoid outdoor activities, with interruptions to construction projects and train operations.
In preparation for the high winds, city officials have reinforced and pruned thousands of trees to reduce the risk of falling debris. They have also cautioned against entering mountainous and forested areas, where gusts are expected to be particularly fierce.
As people stay indoors, many are turning to social media to share humorous takes on their disrupted weekend plans. One Weibo user remarked, “This wind is so sensible, it starts on Friday evening and ends on Sunday, without disrupting work on Monday at all.” Trending hashtags about the winds and safety warnings have captured attention, with another user sharing: “I eat so much all the time, just for this day.”
Authorities in Beijing have also raised concerns about the potential for forest fires, issuing bans on outdoor burning to further ensure public safety. Observers anticipate that wind conditions will begin to ease by Sunday night.
Source
www.bbc.com