[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text dp_text_size=”size-4″]China’s weather service issued a red alert for heavy rain in Beijing and nearby provinces as Typhoon Doksuri made its way inland, causing hazardous conditions in various parts of the country. The typhoon had hit southern Fujian province with powerful gusts of up to 175 kilometers per hour (110 miles per hour) before its influence was felt in the north.
Climate change has been exacerbating extreme weather events and record temperatures in China this summer. The current downpour could result in more severe flooding than the devastating floods of July 2012, during which 79 people lost their lives and tens of thousands were evacuated. This is the first time since 2011 that such a severe rainfall warning has been issued.
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The red alert applies to an area with hundreds of millions of inhabitants, including Tianjin, Hebei, and Shandong provinces. Authorities in Beijing have taken precautionary measures by closing parks, lakes, and riverside roads. The heavy showers are expected to persist until Tuesday. Public transport has also been suspended, and residents are urged to stay home unless necessary in Fujian’s provincial capital. Doksuri, previously a super typhoon, caused significant damage in the Philippines, resulting in 13 deaths and triggering landslides and floods.
As it made its way northwest to China, it weakened but still brought powerful waves and winds to the southeastern region. Xiamen, a major port city, witnessed severe damage to a bus station, fallen trees on streets, and flooding that hindered vehicle movement. Social media platforms shared images and videos of the storm’s impact, showing strong winds hitting residential areas and waves crashing over embankments. The typhoon’s arrival follows a period of record-breaking heat in China, with temperatures exceeding 40 degrees Celsius (104 Fahrenheit) in Beijing and surrounding areas at the beginning of July.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]
