Pictures taken on Thursday night captured flashing lightning streaking through the gloomy sky over Beijing. /VCG Photo

A yellow alert was issued by the city’s meteorological authority on Thursday, warning against possible thunder and lightning along with a heavy downpour at midnight. /VCG Photo

The city, which has been shrouded in a scorching heatwave for days with the temperatures boiling at 38 degree Celsius on Thursday, is expected to welcome rainfalls in the following two days, according to Beijing Meteorological Service. /VCG Photo