Hundreds Evacuated in Beijing After Weekend Rain, More to Come as Typhoon Lekima Moves North
Typhoon Lekima – the ninth typhoon to land in China this year – is moving north, affecting millions of citizens in its wake. Thankfully, Beijing will only experience the residual effects of the typhoon in the form of moderate to heavy rainfall as well as strong winds starting tomorrow, Aug 13, which is more than can be said for many of China's coastal provinces.
Since making landfall on Saturday in Zhejiang province, the typhoon has affected an estimated six million people, wreaking havoc in southeast China as it makes its journey north. Over one million people have been evacuated across Shanghai as well as in Zhejiang and Jiangsu provinces. Lekima is projected to land in Jilin province by the end of the day.
The death toll across China currently stands at 39 people, with an additional nine people missing.
Lekima has also caused extensive economic damage. State media reports a direct financial loss of RMB 14.57 billion in damaged crops and collapsed infrastructure in the Zhejiang province alone. Over the weekend, strong winds and heavy downpours grounded thousands of flights and paralyzed traffic in China, rendering services such as Didi and express trains inoperable in certain regions.
Additionally, Typhoon Lekima brushed against northern Taiwan, leaving 50,000 homes without power as well as reportedly causing one death and four injuries. Japan fared slightly better as although Okinawa experienced disruptions in flights and ferries, the city emerged from the storm without a fatal casualty.
Prior to Lekima’s arrival, Beijing was already neck-deep into the rainy season. On Aug 9, authorities relocated 651 residents in the capital, and 94 scenic attractions closed shop early in response to Friday’s heavy rainstorm. Currently, no casualties have been reported from the downpours, but significant damage has been reported in Miyun district.
Around this time last year, Beijing experienced Typhoon Ampil, its first in 13 years, with some 18,000 residents evacuated prior to its arrival, yet both Ampil and 2005's Typhoon Masta ended relatively peacefully despite heavy precipitation. Historically, Beijing has rarely felt the full wrath of China's disastrous typhoons, thanks in part to its northern, inland location.
The full extent of Typhoon Lekima's impact across China and further afield remains to be seen, but in Beijing, we can expect stormy weather until the middle of this week.
Stay safe during heavy rain and flooding with these essential safety tips.
Images: Beijing News, China Daily, Sohu
