Northern China Faces Severe Winds, Residents Urged Indoors

Northern China is bracing for extremely strong winds, with gusts expected to reach up to 150 kph, prompting authorities to advise millions to stay indoors. Beijing has issued an orange wind warning, its first in a decade, as schools and outdoor events are canceled and construction projects halted. The winds, stemming from a polar vortex in Mongolia, could be among the strongest recorded in Beijing since 1951, leading to significant temperature drops of up to 13°C in a single day. Early reports indicate that over 400 trees have been toppled and nearly 7,000 residents evacuated in the region. Precautionary measures include reinforcement of trees and suspension of public transport services, while local media humorously warned that individuals weighing under 50 kg risk being “blown away.” The winds are expected to ease by Sunday night.