A thunderstorm is currently disrupting operations in Beijing and other nearby areas, stopping hundreds of flights and may cause landslides to occur after it was already been hit by a 7.0 magnitude earthquake this week.
On Saturday, Beijing authorities raised their weather level alert to "orange" early Saturday afternoon and warned the public against lightning, hail, wind and rain, which can cause flash floods in mountainous regions. While the rain had stopped in some parts of the capital, nine roads remained flooded and 171 tourist spots were closed according to the report from Xinhua.
Flight traffic had also been affected by the thunderstorms with almost 500 flights cancelled as of 9 am Saturday until midnight and 182 flights were delayed. According to the website of the Beijing Capital International Airport, travellers are advised to check regularly for flight updates and Air China had also announced that 137 of its flights to and from the capital have been cancelled.
Thunderstorms are often common in Beijing in summer and cause flights to be cancelled regularly.
The thunderstorm had also affected other airports such as Shanghai, Nanjing, Hangzhou, Taiyuan, Shijianzhuang, Lanzhou, Xining and Yinchuan.
The Chinese National Meteorological Centre had also released a statement regarding the thunderstorm, advising its rescue teams in Jiuzhaigou to be on alert for possible landslides and lightning.
Xinhua also reported that widespread flooding has occured in the towns of Xiangbei and Xiangxi in Hunan and the province reported a rainfall level from 100 mm to 200mm throughout the day.
