Beijing's roads and subways ready for flood season

Beijing's transportation and traffic systems are preparing for the coming torrential rains this flood season, the city's urban development agency said.

Subway stations in the city, including those under construction, will be well-prepared for the heavy rains expected in the next three months, according to a safety inspection by the Beijing Commission of Housing and Urban-Rural Development on Tuesday.

On the construction site of section 14 on Line 8, sand bags and water pumps have been placed to handle excess rainwater.

There will be regular checkups to guarantee pumps in all the subway stations are in working order, and drilling in construction zones should be suspended during heavy rains, the municipal commission said.

In addition to strict measures to prepare the subways for torrential rains, Beijing will give more attention to roads in downtown areas, especially underpasses, as they are prone to flooding during heavy rains.

When torrential downpours hit the capital on July 21, 2012, flooding of underpasses caused 27 major roads to become impassable, leaving one trapped driver dead.

The 75 underpasses scattered on major roads in downtown areas have been improved with upgraded equipment, such as stronger water pumps, better drainage systems and larger tanks, enabling drainage of 67 mm of rainfall an hour.

The flood control capacity of the underpasses has been expanded by 50 percent from that in 2012, the municipal flood control office told Beijing News on Monday.

Beijing Drainage Group is improving flow capacity of the 75 underpasses by installing a high-pressure water line, said Zhang Jun, director of renovation projects with the group, adding that the installations will be finished by the end of 2015.

"The high-pressure water line allows excess water on the underpasses to flow into the river regardless if the water level is higher or lower," he said, adding that the underpasses will not flood even if rains are as heavy as they were in 2012.

zhengjinran@chinadaily.com.cn