One-third of annual rainfall in 24 hours: Beijing prepares for torrential rains

Beijing is bracing for an extreme and exceptionally powerful rain system starting this evening, Tuesday. According to the municipal meteorological service forecast, a combination of intense moisture arriving from Typhoon "Dolphin" in the south and a cold air mass from northern China will bring heavy downpours across the capital and surrounding areas.

Over a period of 24 to 36 hours, most areas of the city are expected to absorb cumulative rainfall of over 100 millimeters in just six hours, and more than 150 millimeters within a day. In certain districts around the capital, including Tongzhou, Daxing, Fangshan, Mentougou, Huairou, and Fengtai, the cumulative rainfall within 24 hours could even exceed the 200-millimeter mark.

To understand the intensity of the event, the average annual rainfall in Beijing stands at only about 528 millimeters, with most of the rain usually concentrated between June and September. This means that in just one day, the Chinese capital will see rainfall equivalent to roughly one-third of the city's annual precipitation. This raises serious concerns regarding urban flooding, mudslides in mountainous areas, and severe disruptions to infrastructure and transport routes.