Snappy newsletters. Simple Facebook sharing. Spirited comments. Sweet features are waiting… GET THEM NOW!

Beijing's Biggest Rains in 60 Years Kill 10

Some regions received as much as 18 inches of rain since yesterday

By Mark Russell,  Newser Staff

Posted Jul 22, 2012 5:52 AM CDT

(Newser) – Beijing was hit by the worst torrential rains in 60 years yesterday, killing at least 10 people and trapping cars and buses in deep water around the capital, reports Sky News. Two people were killed when the roof of their home caved in, another by a downed power line, while others drowned. About 6.7 inches of rain fell in the city starting yesterday afternoon and into the overnight, with one district to the west of Beijing receiving 18.1 inches.

Another 10 people were killed outside of Beijing, including six in a landslide. More than 500 flights were canceled at the Beijing Capital International Airport, leaving 80,000 people stranded. But there was one tiny silver lining to the devastating storms—the heavy rains washed much of the usual pollutants out of the sky, giving the city a rare "excellent" rating on the official pollution index.

A man wades through a flooded street following a heavy rain in Beijing yesterday. China's government says the heaviest rains to hit Beijing in six decades.
A man wades through a flooded street following a heavy rain in Beijing yesterday. China's government says the heaviest rains to hit Beijing in six decades.   (AP Photo)
A Chinese man carries a woman past a car partially submerged in floodwaters following a heavy rain in Beijing Saturday, July 21, 2012. China's government says the heaviest rains to hit Beijing in six decades.
A Chinese man carries a woman past a car partially submerged in floodwaters following a heavy rain in Beijing Saturday, July 21, 2012. China's government says the heaviest rains to hit Beijing in six...   (AP Photo)
A woman wades through a flooded street following a heavy rain in Beijing Saturday, July 21, 2012. China's government says the heaviest rains to hit Beijing in six decades.
A woman wades through a flooded street following a heavy rain in Beijing Saturday, July 21, 2012. China's government says the heaviest rains to hit Beijing in six decades.   (AP Photo)
Children sit on the luggage carts as they stranded at the Beijing Capital International Airport after flights are canceled due to the heavy rains in Beijing, China Saturday, July 21, 2012.
Children sit on the luggage carts as they stranded at the Beijing Capital International Airport after flights are canceled due to the heavy rains in Beijing, China Saturday, July 21, 2012.   (AP Photo)
« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow
My TakeCLICK BELOW TO VOTE
23%
12%
8%
8%
42%
8%
To report an error on this story, notify our editors.
COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 3 comments
ddhartma
Jul 22, 2012 9:45 AM CDT
"The downside is, all that will wash to the oceans." And in their drinking water.
ddhartma
Jul 22, 2012 7:16 AM CDT
Dang Chinese are taking away everything from us! They took our jobs. They're taking our money. And now, they're taking our rain!
summerfairy
Jul 22, 2012 6:19 AM CDT
"—the heavy rains washed much of the usual pollutants out of the sky, giving the city a rare "excellent" rating on the official pollution index." I was thinking that as I read the article.  The rains would be giving bejing a rare bath from all the filth and poisons.  The downside is, all that will wash to the oceans.

 
China • Beijing • rainstorms

 
NEWS FROM OUR PARTNERS
Other Sites We Like:   24/7 Wall St.   |   BuzzFeed   |   Cracked   |   Timelines   |   POPSUGAR Tech   |   Business Insider   |   HuffPost Entertainment   |   NewsOne