Shisanling Reservoir to be Opened for Flood Control, Stranded Train Passengers Arrive in Beijing

Following the intense rainfall and flooding from Jul 29-Aug 1, Changping District Flood Control plans to open the Shisanling Reservoir, aka Ming Tombs Reservoir, for flood discharge in the near future, with authorities cautioning residents to stay away from the reservoir and surrounding areas for the time being, reports Beijing Daily.

Binhe Forest Park, Baifuquan Ruins Park, and Dongsha River Course will enter "closed management" when the floodgates are opened. Chaofeng Beilu, Chaoxin Lu, Guanchang Lu, and Huachang Lu will be affected by the flood channel as well, so it's best to make travel plans accordingly.

In other rain-related news, K1178, which was traveling from Yinchuan, the capital of Ningxia, to Fengtai Station, was halted at Yanhecheng Station in Mentougou District on Jul 30, with passengers requested to stay aboard the train while waiting for rains and flooding to subside, according to Beijing Evening News. When rains did subside on Aug 2, all passengers were taken from Yanhecheng Station by train to Zhangjiakou. From there, they transferred to a high speed train, which brought them to Beijing North Station at around 5.30pm.

K1178 is one of three trains affected by rains and flooding that hit the city from Jul 29 to Aug 1. Passengers traveling on K396, traveling from Wuhai, and Z180, traveling from Urumqi, had to disembark from their trains until rains subsided, before transferring to temporary trains to make it to Beijing.

Elsewhere in the capital, Beijing Daily reports all parks and scenic spots around the city have reopened as of Aug 1 to Aug 3, with Nanhaizi Park remaining closed for maintenance and cleanup until Aug 4, when it’s expected to reopen at 6am.

Furthermore, the Western Suburb Tram Line and Yanfang Line, which serve Fangshan district, have both reopened and resumed normal operating hours.

Beijing was hit by its heaviest rains in 140 years from Jul 29 to Aug 1, with most districts recording over 300mm of rainfall by Aug 1. Two standout locations, Changping Wangjiayuan Reservoir and Mentougou Alpine Rose Garden, recorded 744.8mm and 730.5mm of rainfall respectively.

More rain is forecast to come, though, with Beijing Evening reporting that heavy rains accompanied by strong winds are expected from midnight until tomorrow, Aug 4. A red alert is still in effect for geological disasters brought on by said rains and winds.

READ: Warnings Lifted for Largest Rainfall in 140 Years, Thousands Displaced by Floods

Images: Unsplash, Beijing Evening News