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Beijing has upgraded its anti-flooding facilities by clearing rivers and storm channels and expanding pumping capacities in flood-prone underpasses.
Since 2013, Beijing Drainage Group has upgraded the pumping capacities at 43 underpasses in the city's downtown, and work on a further 32 is expected to be completed by the end of the year, allowing the 76 underpasses to drain a combined 718,000 cubic meters per hour, the company said.
The measures have already proved successful in some areas; for example, after a heavy downpour last month there was no severe water buildup at an underpass in the southeastern district of Guangqumen, where a driver drowned in deep floodwater in the wake of a storm on July 21, 2012.
Since the start of the year, 60 extra rainwater storage tanks have been built, which will slow the accumulation of rainwater in areas prone to flooding, allowing floodwater to be used at scenic sites and for other purposes.
Since 2012, Beijing has been clearing rivers in flooding black spots and waterways that run through heavily populated communities - the total length is 1,460 kilometers - with the aim of allowing large amounts of stormwater to pass through the city smoothly, the Beijing Water Authority said.
Clearance work has finished on the 107 rivers in the capital with a combined length of 780 kilometers, while efforts are continuing on 67 rivers that total 680 km. According to the authority's plan, the project is expected to be completed by the end of the year.
zhengjinran@chinadaily.com.cn
