Heavy rainstorms lash Chinese capital Beijing

Heavy rainstorm has lashed the Chinese capital Beijing since Sunday  evening. The city has seen the heaviest round of rain this year as heavy rainfall hit a large swath of northern China yesterday. The accumulated rainfall reached over 45.7 mm on average between Sunday and Monday in Beijing. Official media reported that the city government has relocated around 15,000 people from higher risk regions or unsafe houses. 

The capital also cancelled hundreds of flights, halted certain public bus lines and closed scenic spots. School classes are suspended and companies have been asked to allow employees to work from home. Rain also caused trouble in other northern cities. 

As per reports, people in Handan, in



Hebei province, waded through floodwater after the deluge submerged parts of the city of over nine million people, blocking roads and sewage pipes.

 

China's National Meteorological Centre yesterday issued a yellow alert for rainstorms in the northern and eastern parts of the country and warned of hot weather in some southern provinces.

 

Heavy rainfall and rainstorms are expected in Beijing, Tianjin, Hebei, Inner Mongolia, Liaoning, Shandong, Jiangsu and Anhui, according to the centre.

 

Parts of these regions will also witness thunderstorms and strong winds, said the center, warning that some areas could experience hourly precipitation of up to 80 mm.