Environment     

Rainstorms forecast for Beijing

Xinhua, July 9, 2013

• The Beijing meteorological center issued a yellow alert for thunderstorms and a blue alert for rainstorms on Monday, warning residents to be prepared for adverse weather from Monday night to Wednesday.

  Residents brave the heavy rain on the flooded Guangcai Road in Fengtai District of Beijing, on July 8, 2013. [Photo/Xinhua]

  "Torrential rain will most likely hit the southern part of the city and the suburban districts of Fangshan and Daxing. It will not be as severe as the storm that occurred on July 21 last year," said Qiao Lin, head of the center.

  The heaviest rain in six decades lashed Beijing in July 2012, claiming more than 70 lives. Average precipitation hit 170 mm, while a township in the Fangshan District recorded 460 mm of rain.

  The municipal headquarters for flood control and drought relief, as well as other relevant government departments, said they have conducted extensive preparation for the storms.

  The headquarters warned residents of possible natural disasters in some mountainous areas. It also asked residents to refrain from engaging in outdoor activities during the storms.

  Beijing has seen 19 rainy days since June, with cumulative precipitation reaching 178 mm, up 57.5 percent compared to the same period last year.

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