Heavy downpour pounds Beijing, Tianjin

BEIJING -- Heavy downpours brought by Typhoon Ampil pounded Beijing and neighboring areas on Tuesday, causing flight delays and evacuations, according to the city's flood control authorities.

Beijing issued a yellow warning for heavy rain on Tuesday morning. Meteorological data showed average precipitation was 34 millimeters before noon with a maximum of 139.8 millimeters registered in Tongzhou.

More than 18,171 people were evacuated and 165 tourists destinations closed across the capital. Flooding was seen in several areas, the Beijing flood control headquarters said.

Emergency services staff have been dispatched to pump water, step up warning signs along hazardous roads and river sections, and patrol low-lying areas.

Beijing has also issued a blue alert warning for muds flows and landslides in outlying districts.

In neighboring Tianjin Municipality, heavy precipitation led to severe flooding in several road sections. By 10 am Tuesday, 19 flights had been canceled and 30 delayed at Tianjin Binhai International Airport.

China has a four-tier color-coded weather warning system, with red representing the most severe weather, followed by orange, yellow, and blue.