Cities and provinces in northern China are on alert for intense rainfall on Friday as Typhoon Bavi, potentially the most powerful storm the country has seen in years, is pushing moisture northward.

In Beijing, authorities issued the highest-level heavy-rain alerts for six of 16 districts, with forecasts of up to 150 mm of rain within six hours in some areas. Districts on the city’s outskirts, including Miyun and Fangshan, suspended in-person school classes and outdoor activities and asked residents to stay indoors from Thursday afternoon. Officials warned of heightened risks of flash floods, mudslides and landslides through Friday and into the weekend, and said residents in some high-risk areas of the suburbs were evacuated earlier.

The Beijing municipal government also shut parks, public events, some construction projects and train services. The neighbouring city of Tianjin issued its own alert for heavy rainfall, while provinces including Hebei and Shanxi warned of downpours and strong winds.