Beijing lifts rain alert after 82,000 evacuated

Beijing lifted a severe weather alert yesterday but warned residents to stay vigilant against natural disasters after authorities evacuated more than 82,000 people over fears of deadly floods in the Chinese capital.

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The municipal weather office had imposed a red rainstorm warning — the highest in a four-tier system — on Monday, forecasting heavy downpours until yesterday morning.

The office lifted the alert early yesterday, saying in a social media statement the weather system had weakened as it drifted eastwards.

But it continued to warn of isolated downpours across outlying parts of the city, adding that people "must not let up after strong rains have passed" as landslides or other disasters may follow.