Rain, start of school year clogged capital's roads

Severe traffic congestion plagued Beijing on Monday, when private cars with a 4 or 9 as the last digit on their number plates were barred from the roads.

Authorities said many factors were to blame for the traffic jams, including heavy rainfall and the start of the school year. The severe congestion lasted from 7:30 am to 9 am, the Beijing Commission for Transport said, before traffic finally eased at around 11 am.