Beijing Storm Cancels Flights, Closes Parks | JQJO

High winds and sandstorms caused widespread disruption in Beijing, leading to the cancellation of 693 flights at the city's two major airports by 2 p.m. local time. Public parks and major tourist sites, including the Forbidden City, were closed. The severe weather, with winds reaching 148 kph (92 mph) in some areas, caused significant damage, felling trees and damaging buildings. The storms, originating in northern China's deserts, are a recurring problem, with the city implementing measures to mitigate their impact.