Moisture channelled by Typhoon Bavi puts north China on alert for heavy rain

Northern China braces for potentially severe weather as Typhoon Bavi intensifies, channeling moisture northward and prompting high-level alerts for heavy rainfall. Cities and provinces across the region are on standby for intense downpours expected on Friday, with meteorologists warning that Bavi could be the most powerful storm to hit the country in years.

In Beijing, authorities have issued the highest-level heavy-rain alerts for six of its 16 districts. Some areas, including Miyun and Fangshan on the city's outskirts, could experience up to 150 millimeters of rain within a six-hour period. In response, in-person school classes and outdoor activities have been suspended since Thursday afternoon, with residents advised to stay indoors. The municipal government has also closed parks, public events, and some construction projects, and suspended train services as a precautionary measure.

The typhoon's approach brings heightened risks of flash floods, mudslides, and landslides, particularly on Friday and over the weekend. These dangers are a grim reminder of the extreme rain that struck northern China last July, causing at least 60 fatalities. Residents in some high-risk suburban areas of Beijing were evacuated on Thursday. Neighboring Tianjin and the provinces of Hebei and Shanxi have also issued alerts for heavy rainfall and high winds, indicating a widespread threat across the region.