Heavy rain causes disruption in Chinese capital

BEIJING – Persistent heavy rain on Wednesday caused widespread disruption in the Chinese capital, Beijing, forcing the delay and cancellation of hundreds of flights and the closure of some subway stations.

Beijing’s steamy summer months are often marked by dramatic rainstorms, one of which in 2012 killed 37 people.

The Beijing city government issued an orange alert, the second highest in China’s four-tier warning system, over the rain, and warned it could continue overnight, with a total of 100 mm of rain expected in some areas.

More than 200 flights were cancelled at Beijing’s main international airport, and a handful of subway stations shut, the government said.

Pictures on social media showed cars making their way slowly through flooded streets in parts of the city.

Hundreds of flights cancelled as heavy rains persist in Beijing

Click on thumbnail to view photos. Source: 

AFP

Some high speed rail services were also delayed, the rail authority said.

There were no reports of any casualties.

Large parts of central and eastern China have been inundated with rain this summer, killing more than 200 people.