Beijing on standby for biggest rainstorm this summer

A man piggybacks a friend as they cross a flood after a sudden rain in Beijing on Aug 9, 2020. - AFP

BEIJING (Xinhua): Authorities in Beijing are inspecting pump stations, closing parks and alerting residents as the Chinese capital girds for the heaviest downpour since the start of this year's flood season.

The Beijing Drainage Group, the city's drainage system operator, said it initiated a top-level response to the rainstorm, putting 3,090 workers on standby to tackle any rain-induced flood promptly.