Temperatures in Beijing, the capital of China, stayed below freezing for more than 300 hours, setting a record for the longest cold spell in history. As the severe cold continued, some government agencies and state-owned enterprises stopped heating their buildings and switched to working from home.
According to Chinese media such as the Beijing Daily on the 25th, the temperature in Beijing, which had dropped below freezing since the 11th, remained below freezing for more than 300 hours and regained its normal temperature at 3 PM on the 24th, 13 days later. The temperature remained below freezing for more than 300 hours, the longest since records began in 1951. Previously, the longest record was 11 days from December 15 to 25, 1952. In particular, this year, there were a total of 9 days when the minimum temperature fell below -10 degrees Celsius.
This cold spell struck not only Beijing but also entire nearby regions, including Hebei, Tianjin, Inner Mongolia, and Henan. Beijing Daily reported that the temperature in Beijing and surrounding areas was 4 to 6 degrees lower than normal in mid-December due to the influence of persistent cold air.
There is also an analysis that the heating capacity of Beijing and surrounding areas has reached its limit due to the worst cold wave. In Jiaozio City, Henan Province, heating was partially cut off due to a power plant breakdown on the 22nd, and Fuyang City and Pingdingshan City also suspended heating in most government buildings and state-owned enterprises from the 22nd. This is to save energy and heat essential facilities such as hospitals, schools, and residential buildings.
In Beijing, two subway trains collided in the aftermath of heavy snow, sending dozens of commuters to the hospital with fractures. Previously, on the 21st, Beijing closed schools in the city due to the extreme cold and asked citizens to stay at home. In addition, it has been reported that there have been several cases where snow or ice accumulated on the rooftops of high-rise buildings or apartments melted and fell down, injuring passers-by.
Beijing =
Source: Donga
Mark Jones is a world traveler and journalist for News Rebeat. With a curious mind and a love of adventure, Mark brings a unique perspective to the latest global events and provides in-depth and thought-provoking coverage of the world at large.