Beijing issues alerts for rainstorms, geological disasters

Short-term heavy rainfall hits Beijing on Wednesday evening. [Photo: Tencent]

The Beijing weather department has issued blue alerts for geological disaster and thunderstorms as heavy rain hit the city on Wednesday morning.

The rain was especially heavy in the southern Fangshan district, with hourly rainfall intensity exceeding 110 millimeters in the afternoon, stranding commuters in subway and bus stations.

For the next three days, short-term heavy rainfall, flash floods and other secondary disasters were forecast in both urban and suburban areas.

As of 8 p.m., eight bus lines in Beijing had been affected by the rain. Private car owners had to pull over due to flooding and waterlogging.

Staff from the city's transportation, municipal administration and water affairs departments have been dispatched to emergency duties.