進入英語學習論壇下載音頻

Despite seeing only three-quarters of its usual rainfall so far this year, Beijing has enough water to ensure things will flow smoothly, officials are saying.

So far this year, the city has had 32.6 cm of rain, 26 percent less than it typically sees in the same period, said Bi Xiaogang, spokesman and deputy director of Beijing municipal bureau of water affairs.

Miyun reservoir in the northeast and Guanting reservoir in the northwest - Beijing's two major reservoirs - have seen 30 percent and 36 percent less rain respectively, he said.

Ironically, many Beijingers were under the impression the city has seen more rain than usual this year.

"I think this year's rain is more frequent and much heavier than last year," said Zhang Zhi, a Beijinger who lives in Dongcheng district.

Experts explained that while rain fell heavily on parts of the downtown at times, it did not always soak other areas.

"The capital hasn't yet seen a citywide rainfall all summer long, so residents who live in different districts may feel differently," said Sun Jisong, chief meteorologist with the Beijing meteorological bureau.

"The government has begun to transfer water from three emergency water reserves in Changping, Huairou and Pinggu districts to the city," said Bi. "It has also transferred 300 million cu m of water from neighboring Hebei province."

Authorities will also step up the extraction of underground water supplies and the use of recycled water, he said.

In addition, it plans to build more rain-collect facilities and find ways to conserve water through efficient irrigation.

Questions:

1. How much rain has Beijing had so far this year?

2. What are Beijing’s two major reservoirs?

3. Where are the three emergency water reserves located?

Answers:

1. 32.6 cm of rain

2. Miyun reservoir in the northeast and Guanting reservoir in the northwest.

3. In Changping, Huairou and Pinggu districts.

（英語點津 Helen 編輯）

About the broadcaster:

Nancy Matos is a foreign expert at China Daily Website. Born and raised in Vancouver, Canada, Nancy is a graduate of the Broadcast Journalism and Media program at the British Columbia Institute of Technology. Her journalism career in broadcast and print has taken her around the world from New York to Portugal and now Beijing. Nancy is happy to make the move to China and join the China Daily team.