Massive Storms Cause Widespread Destruction in Chinese Capital
Monday, July 23rd, 2012July 23, 2012
A torrential 10-hour downpour on July 21 and 22 in Beijing left 77 people dead. According to local meteorologists, the storm was the greatest single deluge in Beijing since record keeping was begun in 1951. Approximately 6.7 inches (17 centimeters) of rain fell in some parts of the Chinese capital, and as much as 18 inches (45.7 centimeters) fell in some suburban districts. Floodwater in some streets rose to as high as 20 feet (6 meters). Flooding at electric power generating plants led to blackouts in parts of the city. Fierce thunderstorms forced the cancellation of 500 flights at Beijing International Airport, stranding some 80,000 passengers overnight.
The number of deaths and the widespread destruction triggered criticism of the poor quality of the city’s infrastructure and of the government’s feeble response to natural disasters. Despite the billions of dollars spent to upgrade Beijing’s infrastructure, rainwater quickly overwhelmed the city’s sewage system. One Beijing newspaper published an article stating that the downpour “exposes holes in the modernization drive. . . . In recent years, floods caused by rain storms have repeatedly occurred in Chinese cities. And the latest downpour in Beijing has stirred up a new round of skepticism on the quality of infrastructure amid rapid urbanization.” Another newspaper openly criticized the government for not deploying an emergency broadcast system, not setting up special emergency hotlines, and not opening government shelters.