Beijing shuts train lines as rain arrives in China's north

Chinese customers walk in the rain with their umbrella at a shopping mall in Beijing. - AP

BEIJING: Beijing temporarily shut on Tuesday (July 16) numerous train lines in the suburban areas around the Chinese capital after issuing an early warning for thunderstorms and flash floods as the country's north braces for stormy weather.

Chinese authorities have placed the country's northern region on high alert for heavy rains since late Monday and agencies have taken measures to counter the impact of heavy rainfall that is moving northwards towards the Sichuan Basin and areas north of the Huai River, state media Xinhua said.