Sichuan storms strand thousands of flyers

CHENGDU - Tens of thousands of passengers have been stranded in Shuangliu International Airport in Southwest China's Sichuan province after almost seven hours of thunderstorms since Sunday evening.

Storms hit Chengdu, capital of Sichuan at about 8:40 pm, and continued to about 4 am with precipitation reaching 20 mm. Water collected on the airport's runway and parking aprons.

The airport authorities said 39 inbound flights couldn't arrive on schedule, 72 inbound and outbound flights have been canceled, while four inbound flights have returned to the place of departure.

As of 1 pm Tuesday, 75 flights of the airport have delayed, and more flights will be delayed later, according to an airport statement.

Rain will continue to fall in Chengdu for the following two days, which will also affect flights there, the local meteorological department said.

Airport authorities and airlines have arranged for food to be served to the stranded passengers.