Torrential rains to batter capital region

Beijing and neighboring areas, including Tianjin and Hebei province, are expected to experience heavy rainstorms starting on Thursday.

Incoming storms have already resulted in the cancellation of more than 200 flights in the capital on Wednesday.

Thunderstorms were expected to hit the capital on Wednesday night, with moderate rainfall, reaching a peak on Thursday, with torrential rains sweeping the capital, Tianjin and Hebei, said Guo Jinlan, chief forecaster of the Beijing Meteorological Center.