Beijing has announced a mass evacuation as Typhoon Dolphin approaches. Meteorologists forecast record rainfall that could hit the Chinese capital, according to infohub.kz.
Thousands of Beijing residents have been evacuated from areas at risk of flooding and landslides as Typhoon Dolphin continues to bring heavy rain to northern and central China. Forecasters predict that over the next 24 hours, the capital could see more than 150 millimeters of rain, with some areas receiving over 200 millimeters, which is more than a third of Beijing's average annual rainfall of 528 millimeters.
On Wednesday, Beijing issued an orange alert for heavy rain, the second-highest warning level. The city is preparing for another round of heavy downpours: over 6,300 storm drains have been cleared, and 252 flood control teams are on standby. Pumps are being installed in high-risk flood zones.
Typhoon Dolphin has already flooded villages and farmland in Zhejiang province. Beijing authorities have closed hundreds of tourist attractions and campsites, and more than 1,300 tourists have been evacuated or turned away from the city. Additionally, over 5,000 elderly people have been relocated from nursing homes, and about 1,800 people living near construction sites in mountainous or coastal areas have also been evacuated.
Earlier reports said Typhoon Dolphin had reached China's eastern coast, hitting densely populated areas. The heavy rains associated with the typhoon continue to affect a large part of the country, triggering elevated flood response levels, suspension of train services, and flood warnings in Beijing and neighboring Tianjin, as well as in central and eastern provinces.