New Delhi: China’s Inner Mongolia region has been gripped by extreme weather conditions over the past few days, with rare typhoon-like winds and heavy snowfall causing major disruptions across multiple cities. Hulunbuir and Baotou, two key urban centers in the region, have been among the worst hit, prompting emergency deployment of police and rescue personnel to assist stranded motorists and enforce safety measures.
Hulunbuir experienced wind speeds reaching level 10 on the Beaufort scale, forcing authorities to temporarily shut down sections of the Hulunbuir Expressway, along with National Highways 301 and 331. In Baotou, winds averaging level 7 and gusting beyond level 9 damaged infrastructure, including a central road barrier, as the wind reached up to 150 kmph. Visibility dropped to as low as 300 meters, trapping several vehicles and cutting off road access in some areas.
Local police and citizens worked together to restore damaged road barriers and ensure the safety of commuters. Traffic controls were implemented swiftly to prevent further chaos on the roads. Meteorological authorities have attributed this sudden surge in intense wind patterns and snowfall to the broader effects of climate change, describing it as a significant escalation from previous seasonal weather norms.
Forecasts predict continued snowfall and strong winds across central and eastern Inner Mongolia, while northern China has been placed on alert for similar conditions. As authorities remain on high alert, the incident serves as yet another stark reminder of the increasing frequency and severity of extreme weather events in the region.
