At least 37 dead as torrential rain floods Beijing

Published on 23/07/2012 01:21

The Chinese capital’s heaviest rainstorm in six decades killed at least 37 people this weekend, flooded streets and stranded 80,000 people at the main airport.

The storm, which started on Saturday afternoon and continued late into the night, flooded major roads and sent torrents of water tumbling down steps into underpasses.

Beijing city government said at least 37 people had died, including 25 drowned, six crushed in collapsing homes, five electrocuted and one struck by lightning.

More than 500 flights were cancelled at the main airport. The Fangshan district’s 18.4in of rain broke a record set in 1951.

The clouds had at least one silver lining, however. The official pollution index went from unhealthy levels to “excellent” yesterday.