Rainstorm to sweep across Beijing

BEIJING - Beijing and its neighboring areas will experience heavy rainstorms over the next few days, with some areas to be hit by strong winds and hail, weather authorities warned.

Thunderstorms are expected to hit Beijing starting from Wednesday afternoon, with moderate rainfall in most areas. The storm will likely reach its peak on Thursday, according to the Beijing Meteorological Service.

Heavy rain is expected to last until Saturday, with cumulative precipitation to reach 100 to 150 millimeters each day in some regions.

While authorities reminded the public to take preventive measures, they dismissed rumors that the rainfall will reach a level that can not be detected by radar echo.

Parts of Beijing will receive torrential rain and strong winds on Thursday, but it will not reach the highest alert level as rumors predicted, according to Fang Chong, chief forecaster at the National Meteorological Center.

As strong rain is expected to hit mountainous areas in Beijing from Thursday afternoon to night, the public should be on alert for rain-triggered flooding and landslides, Fang said.