Citizens ride on a flooded street in Nanning, south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, May 8, 2024. Heavy rain hit Nanning on Wednesday.(Photo: Xinhua)

 
From Wednesday to Friday, heavy to torrential rainstorms are forecast in Beijing, Tianjin and North China's Hebei Province, with heavy downpours and short-term intense rainfall in some regions. Authorities in the affected areas have responded proactively by issuing multiple warnings and taken precautions to guarantee people’s safety.

Forecasters predict heavy to torrential rainfall in northern China with some areas seeing heavy downpours on Wednesday, according to the China Meteorological Administration (CMA), which said this round of rainstorm will batter the majority of Beijing, Tianjin and neighboring Hebei Province. 

Beijing issued an orange alert for rainstorms on Wednesday, with heavy rainfall expected in most parts of the city.

Hourly precipitation in the majority of the city is expected to exceed 70 mm from 5 pm on Wednesday to 8 pm on Thursday, with rainfall in western and northern mountainous areas and eastern areas expected to exceed 100 mm within six hours, according to the Beijing Meteorological Service.

Some areas in the outlying districts of Miyun, Huairou, Pinggu and Shunyi may see over 150 mm of precipitation within 24 hours. The heavy rainfall may trigger secondary disasters such as flash floods, mudslides and landslides in mountainous and hilly areas, and waterlogging in low-lying locations. 

Tianjin Meteorological Service issued a yellow alert for rainstorms at noon on Wednesday, warning of heavy to torrential rain in most areas of Tianjin.  

The northwestern part of Tianjin will see 80 to 120 mm of rainfall, and some specific districts will see 120 to 150 mm rainfall from Wednesday night to Thursday.  

Thunder, flash heavy rain, and there will be short-term strong gusts of level 6-8.  

In Hebei, most cities will witness heavy to torrential rainfall from Wednesday night to Thursday, with downpours in eastern Shijiazhuang, the capital of Hebei, Xiong'an New Area and other places.  

In response, Hebei authorities renewed a Level-III emergency response for rainstorms and activated a yellow alert for rainstorms at midday on Wednesday.   

The Department of Water Resources of Hebei Province and the Hebei Meteorological Service issued a meteorological warning for flash floods, warning that flash floods are likely to strike some areas from Wednesday to Thursday midday, while other areas may also be affected by flash floods due to short-term intense rainfall.  

To safeguard people's lives and properties, authorities in areas likely to be affected have been proactive in warning residents and carrying out measures to mitigate the effects of the expected severe weather. 

In response to this rainfall forecast, Beijing Water Authority and the Beijing Meteorological Service issued a yellow alert for mountain torrents. The public is advised to stay away from flood channels, and to suspend mountain and water-related outdoor activities.

The two bureaus also issued a blue alert for urban waterlogging. The public is advised to avoid low-lying areas and choose reliable traffic routes.

The municipal emergency management bureau has advised enterprises and public institutions to adopt flexible working hours or staggered commutes during the rainfall. Schools may suspend classes as necessary, halt in-person training, and refrain from outdoor teaching activities. 

Authorities in Hebei have asked that cities shoulder more responsibility and bolster their monitoring efforts. Meanwhile, these authorities are urged to activate and renew the emergency response promptly and fully exert themselves in following the plans. 

When disasters like flash floods and mudslides occur, Hebei authorities have urged every city to keep a close eye on rainfall and to step up flash flood monitoring so as to promptly release early-warning messages. In case of disasters, officials are required to relocate residents beforehand to ensure their safety.