Beijing Blanketed: Snow Showers Disrupt City's Pulse, Unleashing Chaos in Commute

Beijing woke up to a winter wonderland-turned-hassle on Monday, as a snowfall spree wreaked havoc on road, rail, and air travel. The city, donned in a 5.8 mm snowy embrace from Sunday evening to Monday morning, saw the highest precipitation of 10.2 mm in Fangshan district, reported the Beijing Meteorological Service. As citizens navigated treacherous paths, icy and muddy roads turned into slippery slopes, leading to electric bike mishaps and challenges for pedestrians, especially parents walking their children to school in Xicheng District.

Amidst the picturesque snowscape, chaos unfolded with the city's weather station issuing a yellow alert for icy roads, predicting perilous conditions until 2 p.m. Monday. Over 180 bus routes were suspended by 7 a.m., prompting a massive mobilization effort with 63,000 workers, 6,600 vehicles, and equipment to tackle snow removal and ice clearance. China Railway Beijing Group Co., Ltd. reported cancellations and delays for trains, and the Beijing Capital International Airport faced the axing of 65 flights by midday.

Despite the disruptions, the city's operational order remained intact. As light snow continued to fall, Beijing grappled with the whims of winter, turning its bustling streets into a challenging yet enchanting snow-covered landscape.