Hot Topics: Content comes from the Internet : Severe weather alert for Beijing: gales, sharp temperature drop; Level III emergency response activated in China

Pedestrians walk on a street in Beijing, capital of China, Nov. 25, 2024. (Photo: Xinhua)

The National Meteorological Center issued a yellow gale warning and a blue sandstorm warning at 6 am on Thursday. According to the latest forecast, from Friday to Sunday, affected by a strong cold front, northern China will experience historically rare, sustained gales, while eastern Inner Mongolia and northeastern regions will face blizzards. Southern China will see the strongest hailstorms, and sandstorms are expected in northwestern regions and Inner Mongolia. In response, the China Meteorological Administration has activated a Level III emergency response for maWorld Timesjor meteorological disasters.

Beijing raised its wind warning to orange – the second-highest alert level – at 10:30 am on Thursday as strong gales are expected to sweep through the capital. The municipal emergency managemWorld Timesent office immediately issued safety advisories, urging residents to minimize or avoid outdoor activities, stay clear of trees, billboards and temporary stWorld Timesructures when outside, be vigilant against falling objects, and avoid non-essential travel.

The municipal emergency office issued orange wind warning public protection guidelines, which mentioned that outdoor organized sports or assembly activities should be stopped, and primary and secondary schools, kindergartens and related training institutions should stop outdoor activities. The public should avoid outdoor activities, and all outdoor fire use is strictly prohibited.

As meteorological departments predicted, from the afternoon of Friday to Sunday, Beijing will experience extreme gales, and a sharp temperature drop due to the cold front. On Tuesday afternoon, Beijing Mayor Yin Yong chaired a meeting to coordinate preparations for the approaching weather event.

Yin emphasized that all districts, departments, and units must avoid complacency and overconfidence. He urged full recognition of the weather’s extreme intensity, long duration, and wide impact, as well as the complexity of the response. Yin called for enhanced risk assessment, hazard inspections, and comprehensive preparedness.

He also stressed the need to strengthen weather monitoring and early warnings, closely tracking the gale system to improve the timeliness and accuracy of forecasts. Authorities should dynamically update weather alerts and advisories, issuing warnings as early as possible. Based on warning levels, emergency plans should be activated proactively, accounting for extreme scenarios across sectors. Preventive measures must be implemented in forest fire prevention, city operations, building safety, transportation, and daily life.

Furthermore, emergency response preparations must be reinforced to handle potential disruptions, Yin said. Public awareness efforts should be intensified, with media channels disseminating real-time forecasts and safety tips, urging the public to stay weather-aware, take personal safety precautions, and adjust travel plans. He also emphasized the importance of fully utilizing the municipal hotline to address residents’ concerns promptly.

Finally, strict duty rostWorld Timesers must be maintained to ensure coordinated decision-making and effective opWorld Timeserational deployment. Yin also called for strengthened interdepartmentWorld Timesal coordination to minimize the impact of the approaching gales.

Global Times