China: Heat hits east, rain sweeps west

A large section of eastern China has been experiencing heat and high humidity, while rainstorms have pelted central and western areas.

Rain storms are disrupting traffic and threatening to flood

Shanghai has suffered temperatures over 35 degree Celsius for 4 consecutive days. The oppressive humidity makes it hard for people to be outdoors.The sultry weather is expected to continue to shroud the city in the coming two days.

Similar heat waves are being felt in Hunan and Zhejiang provinces. Local governments have issued sunstroke warnings and taken action to ensure power supply. In Hubei in Central China, Shaanxi, Guizhou and Qinghai in the west, rain storms are disrupting traffic and threatening to flood. In Enshi city in Hubei, many residents have already been moved to higher ground.

Service resumes at Beijing airport after rain

More than 150 flights at the Beijing Capital International Airport were delayed or cancelled because of a heavy rainstorm on Friday night. But the rainy weather has been clearing up... and service is gradually returning to normal.

The airport was mostly back on track by early Saturday morning, after the chaos Friday night. Heavy rain flooded the airport expressway, and a caused traffic jam. Over 95% of the flights were delayed or cancelled.

Huang Weihua, vice manager of TAMCC, Beijing Capital Int'l Airport, said, "We took emergency measures immediately after the rain caused problems. To smooth the traffic on the expressway, we dispatched over 50 vehicles and also about 400 people to pump the water inundating the road. Many travellers were trapped in the terminal since their flights were delayed or cancelled...so we carried out some measures to make them more comfortable."

Later on Friday night, flights were cleared but since so many were delayed, airlines had to make some cancellations. Passengers could choose to have their flights changed, and they were offered a room and food.

A passenger said, "Well, we feel ok with the delay or cancellation. The weather was bad and caused the problem, and the airlines cancelled the flights for safety concerns."

Rain is intensive in July and August in Beijing, so passengers are advised to call the airlines to confirm flights are on schedule before they set off for the airport.