Beijing launches flood response as heavy rain looms

BEIJING, Aug. 11 (Xinhua) -- Beijing activated a Level II flood-control emergency response, the second-highest level, on Tuesday as authorities warned of heavy rain and heightened risks of urban waterlogging and landslides.

Most parts of the city are expected to receive more than 100 millimeters of rain within six hours and over 150 millimeters within 24 hours from Tuesday evening through Thursday, according to the Beijing meteorological service.

Authorities said residents in high-risk areas would be evacuated by Tuesday evening. Construction work will be suspended, and mountain campsites and scenic areas will be closed.

Starting Wednesday, employers are encouraged to adopt flexible working hours or staggered schedules. Schools may suspend classes and in-person training depending on conditions, while organized outdoor sports activities will be halted.

Dolphin, the 13th typhoon of the year, made two landfalls in Zhejiang Province on Sunday. The National Meteorological Center on Tuesday maintained an orange alert for rainstorms, forecasting heavy rain across a broad swath of the country through Wednesday afternoon, including Zhejiang, Shanghai, Shandong, Beijing and Tianjin.