Beijing issues orange alert for heavy rainfall

The Beijing Meteorological Bureau issued an orange rainstorm alert on Wednesday morning, as it is expected that from 5pm Wednesday to 8pm Thursday, most areas of the city will experience heavy rainfall with hourly precipitation exceeding 70 millimeters.

In the western and northern mountainous areas and eastern regions of the capital, the six-hour rainfall may exceed 100 millimeters, according to the bureau.

Parts of Miyun, Huairou, Pinggu and Shunyi districts are forecasted to receive over 150 millimeters of rainfall within 24 hours. Mountainous and hilly areas may face secondary disasters such as flash floods, mudslides and landslides triggered by heavy rainfall.

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

The city authorities also issued a yellow warning for mountain flood disasters on Wednesday morning, saying that it is anticipated that from 2pm Wednesday to 8pm Thursday, there is a high possibility of mountain flood disasters in Huairou, Miyun, Pinggu, Fangshan, Changping, Mentougou and Yanqing districts. The public is advised to stay away from mountains and suspended outdoor activities involving mountains and water.