Beijing weathers heaviest rainfall of the year

Beijing experienced the heaviest round of rainfall this year on Sunday night, with the city's average rainfall reaching over 50 mm as of Monday morning, weather authorities said.

Since Sunday, the city has been under yellow warning for lightning, rainstorms, gale and geological hazard, according to the Beijing Meteorological Observatory. It is forecast that significant rainfall will fall with patchy rainstorms in the daytime in Beijing.

The rainfall will lessen in the evening of the day, Beijing Meteorological Service said.

The city's accumulated rainfall is forecast to reach 25 mm to 50 mm on Monday. The maximum hourly rainfall intensity can reach 30 mm and some gusts of wind can go above 50 km per hour, it said. 

In view of the heavy rainfall, the Beijing flood control office has advised non-essential agencies, enterprises and institutions that they can adopt flexible work options and staggered rush hour plan to ensure safety.

The Beijing Drainage Group has launched a first-level response, mobilizing 2,906 people to inspect the main bridge areas and road facilities in the city. With 57 rainwater pumping stations in operation, a total of 140,000 cubic meters water had been drained or stored by Monday morning.

China has a four-tier color-coded weather warning system, with red representing the most severe warning, followed by orange, yellow and blue.