A powerful windstorm swept through northern China on Saturday, bringing widespread disruptions, damaging infrastructure, and forcing the closure of hundreds of parks in the capital.According to the Beijing Municipal Landscaping and Forestry Bureau, emergency crews have been working tirelessly to manage the fallout, with 29,629 personnel and 4,394 vehicles deployed to clear 1,202 uprooted trees and 4,336 large broken branches.The storm, which reached its peak intensity earlier Saturday, set records across nearly 500 national weather stations, with wind speeds in parts of Beijing, Tianjin, and Henan hitting hurricane-force levels of 13 or higher.
The fierce winds expanded rapidly, extending their impact to southern regions, including areas along the Yangtze River.Authorities took precautionary measures by shutting down 336 parks in Beijing, including all 13 major municipal parks, to ensure public safety.
Meanwhile, the storm's destructive force was felt beyond the capital, with reports of rooftops and glass windows being torn off buildings in Shanxi and Henan provinces.The aviation sector also faced significant disruptions, with over 3,200 domestic flights canceled by midday the highest single-day cancellation figure this year.
The extreme weather has underscored the challenges posed by increasingly volatile climate conditions, prompting emergency responses across multiple provinces.As the storm continues to affect southern regions, authorities urge residents to remain cautious and stay updated on safety advisories.