GUANGZHOU, March 30 (Monday) – Guangzhou encountered severe convective weather on Monday, with a classroom window at Guangzhou University being damaged by strong winds, causing injuries to several students who have been taken to the hospital for treatment.
Multiple students took to social media to report that the incident occurred at the Science Building in the university town campus. Witnesses described feeling strong vibrations and echoes in the classroom at the time of the incident, with the windows deforming and being blown open by the strong winds, resulting in a large amount of broken glass scattered on the ground.
Staff responsible for daily maintenance on campus stated that personnel were dispatched to the scene after the incident to handle the situation, and the injured students were promptly taken to the hospital for medical care. Due to the serious deformation of the windows, extensive engineering work will be needed for the repair process.
According to information released by the Guangzhou Meteorological Department, the first round of widespread severe convective weather in 2026 is affecting southern China. From March 30 to 31, heavy rain to locally heavy storms are occurring in the northern part of Guangdong and central-northern areas of the Pearl River Delta, accompanied by severe weather phenomena such as short-term gale-force winds and hailstorms rated 8 to 10 on the Beaufort scale.
Following the incident, many netizens made comments on social media platforms, offering suggestions on campus facility safety and prevention measures against extreme weather.
A user named “霖懟玉” commented: “Gale-force winds at levels 8 to 10 are indeed powerful, but windows being blown open are likely due to loose hinges or aging locks. Neglecting regular maintenance and inspection has turned minor issues into major problems.”
“不吃黃瓜” recalled: “I remember when I visited Guangzhou University, the ceiling in the classroom building closest to the outer station was in poor condition during competitions. Pieces were missing, some were slanted – Guangzhou University, you need to take it seriously!”
User “sharon” said: “Frequent severe convective weather occurrences call for upgrading the wind resistance standards of school buildings.”
User “養生漫遊記” expressed: “The meteorological department’s warnings are becoming more accurate and timely. It’s crucial to translate these alerts into concrete preventive actions. For densely populated places such as schools and large venues, there should be standardized emergency procedures after receiving warnings: checking and reinforcing doors and windows, outdoor facilities, assessing whether to close or adjust open areas, and notifying teachers, students, and visitors to prioritize safety.”
“好的暱稱” emphasized: “Risk prevention requires proactive planning. With early warning systems for severe weather, whether in schools or venues, if protective measures such as reinforcing doors and windows, inspecting roofs are done in advance, losses can be minimized.”