BEIJING
On 29 July 2023, Doksuri, one of the strongest storms to hit the country in years, spiralled towards Beijing and drenched northern China. As per China’s national forecaster, a large area surrounding the capital encounters a medium to high risk of rainstorm disasters for the next three days.
Intensifying rainfall of 100mm (4 inches) or more is predicted over 220,000 square km (85,000 square miles), likely affecting 130 million people.
According to the China Meteorological Administration, “Doksuri’s intensity continues to weaken, but the impact is far from over.” A warning is issued for the public to be careful and stay away from high-risk areas in the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei areas where localised rainfall may reach 600 mm (two feet).
Over the weekend, small and medium-sized rivers in central and western areas of Hebei, southern Beijing, northern parts of Henan, and eastern regions of Shanxi can inflate above warning levels, while geological hazards and flash floods could occur around mountainous areas.
Beijing authorities have put indoor and outdoor sports events on hold and upgraded their flood control response.
Doksuri is the most powerful tropical storm to hit the coasts of China this year and the second-strongest to hit the southeastern province of Fujian since Typhoon Meranti in 2016. It led the schools and businesses to shut down and the evacuation of workers from offshore oil and gas fields.
Doksuri made landfall on 28 July 2023, downing uprooting trees and power lines, affecting around 880,000 people in coastal Fujian where more than 354,400 people are evacuated and resettled, and causing over 478 million yuan ($67 million) in direct economic losses.
Before making landfall in China, Doksuri swung through Taiwan and the northern Philippines, where strong winds and heavy rain led a ferry to turn upside down which at least 25 people were reported dead.