(Clearwisdom.net) According to a report on Xinghua Net from June 13, 2002, torrential rain and a catastrophic rainstorm suddenly deluged west Chongqing starting at 1 a.m., bringing over 50 millimeters (about 2") of rainfall to most areas within a few hours, with over 140 millimeters (almost 6") in the main city district and Bi Shan County. Some areas were flooded. Three people died.
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| A cable car derails from it's track and hangs over the Yangtze River. | People are trapped in their building by the floodwaters. |
According the Chongqing Civil Administration and Flood Control Departments, the torrential rain last night caused several geological catastrophes, numerous deaths and injuries. A farmer's family of three was buried by a mud and rock slide in the Beipei district. Two bodies have been found. One person died in a flooded pit at the Qingmuguan Coal Mine of Shapingba District.
According to the forecast by the Chongqing Meteorological Department, rainstorms will continue over the main city district and west Chongqing. The rainfall is estimated to be over 180 millimeters, and could exceed 250 millimeters in some areas.
The Chongqing Business Daily of June 13, reported that the casualties as of last night included: one person drowned at Qingmuguan of the Shapingba District, one person dead from a landslide at Shibanpo. Several residential buildings had been flooded at Yejin Village II of Jiulongpo. Five hundred people had been besieged with the rising Taohua Creek water. The Fruit Market at Shiqiaopu was in 1.7-meter (about 5') deep water. Shiqiaopu Trade Market was flooded, as well as both the Nantong and Yutianbao Mine's of the Nantong Mine Bureau. Over 200 working miners in pits had been rescued, but 17 were still missing.
The Meteorological Department estimated that the Yangtze River's highest flood peak year-to-date, a water level of 174.42 meters, would pass the main city district tonight.
A nerve-racking scene at Chaotianmen: A cable car derails off a slippery track and almost falls into the Yangtze River in the pouring rain.
A tourist cable car derailed due to faulty brakes and almost fell into the Yangtze River at Chaotianmen Pier yesterday morning. According to the maintenance personnel, three passengers were in the cable car when it ran off the track and proceeded in the direction of the Yangtze River. With half of the car hanging above the river, the passengers shouted for help. Fortunately, no one was injured.
