Beijing may hit precipitation this Monday (31). The China Meteorological Administration predicts that more than 1000 mm of rain is expected to fall in the southwest area of the capital and in the neighboring province of Hebei.
Meteorologists also warn that another hurricane-level storm is on its way to the country.
Like much of the world, China is recovering from extreme weather events this summer. Heatwaves hit China earlier than usual this year, while records were set around the world for global temperatures, ocean heat and sea ice loss.
The super typhoon hit the southeast coastal province of Fujian late last week, weakening as it moved north but bringing heavy amounts of rain to at least five provinces in China’s north since Saturday.
Doksuri’s Spoils
More than 31,000 people were evacuated from the Chinese capital on Sunday night (30), state broadcaster CCTV reported. Another half a million people in Fujian were forced to evacuate due to flooding, state news agency Xinhua reported.
Xinhua reported two deaths from the storm in Beijing on Monday, while another two deaths were reported in northeastern Liaoning province, according to CCTV.
Heavy rains are expected to continue through Tuesday, raising concerns about dangerous flooding and landslides.
On Monday, nine districts in Beijing were under red storm alert, the highest on the country’s warning mechanism. The weather alert has been downgraded to the second highest level elsewhere. At least 95 other weather warnings were issued across the country.
The heavy rains led to the temporary closure of several railways and highways in the capital. Schools also remained closed and people were asked to stay at home.
Doksuri is the most powerful typhoon to hit China and the strongest storm to hit Fujian since Typhoon Saomi in 2006, according to CNN Weather based on preliminary information. The closest and most powerful storm that passed near Beijing was Rita in 1972.
Before hitting Fujian, it had killed at least 39 people in the Philippines and hit parts of southern Taiwan.
The rains flooded large swaths of farmland and homes in Fujian, causing nearly $60 million in direct economic losses, Xinhua reported. More than 6,000 hectares of farmland in Fujian were damaged and more than 150 hectares suffered total crop loss, state media reported.
New typhoon on the way
Even as Doksuri subsides, authorities are preparing for the arrival of Khanun, the sixth typhoon projected to hit China this year.
Forecasters expect storm surges to hit coastal areas in eastern Zhejiang Province from Monday to Thursday as Typhoon Khanun approaches. This prompted local authorities to activate the lowest level of a four-tiered emergency response on Monday, Xinhua reported. .
Khanun is gaining strength in the Pacific Ocean and has been upgraded to a Category 3 equivalent typhoon by the Joint Typhoon Warning Center. It is expected to approach the islands of Okinawa, in southern Japan, in the next two days and begin to slowly make its way through the East China Sea.
More than 200 domestic flights from Naha, Miyako and Ishigaki islands in Okinawa were canceled from Monday to Wednesday (2), affecting nearly 30,000 passengers.
Extreme weather in Asia
Asia — the world’s largest and most populous continent — is grappling with the deadly effects of extreme summer weather, as countries grapple with scorching heat waves and record monsoon rains.
While most of northeast China is flooded by the rains, the neighboring Korean peninsula is suffering from deadly heatwaves.
At least 10 people have died of heat-related illnesses as South Korea swelters under a heat wave that has brought the highest temperatures so far this year to parts of the country, according to data released on Sunday by the Agency for Prevention and Control of Diseases of Korea (KDCA).
Just two weeks ago, torrential rains in South Korea killed at least 41 people in mudslides and flash floods, including at least 13 killed in a flooded tunnel that trapped vehicles in the deluge.
This weekend, a total of 1,015 people suffered from heat-related illnesses, which the KDCA defines as heat stroke, heat exhaustion, heat cramps, heat syncope, and heat edema.
More than a quarter of those affected by the heat were aged 65 and over, while around 20% were between the ages of 50 and 59.
More than a third of the cases were reported by people who work outside the home and around 14% were reported on farmland, he added.
Since the end of July, heatwave warnings have expanded to most parts of the country, with temperatures rising over the weekend to between 33 and 39°C.
On Saturday, several cities reported their highest daily temperatures so far this year. Gyeongju city saw temperatures reach 36.8°C and Jeongseon county saw temperatures reach 36.1°C, according to the Korea Meteorological Administration.
Seoul’s affluent Gangnam district saw temperatures reach 35.7°C, while North Gyeongsang province saw temperatures reach 38.1°C.
A heatwave alert remains in effect on Monday, signaling that daily maximum temperatures are expected to be 35C or higher for more than two consecutive days.
See also — China: More than 23,000 people leave home due to typhoon
With information from Gawon Bae, Alex Stambaugh and Junko Ogura
Source: CNN Brasil
Bruce Belcher is a seasoned author with over 5 years of experience in world news. He writes for online news websites and provides in-depth analysis on the world stock market. Bruce is known for his insightful perspectives and commitment to keeping the public informed.
