Thousands at risk by predicted heavy rains

Emergency relocation plans have been prepared for thousands of Beijing residents in areas susceptible to floods or landslides, following forecasts of heavy summer rains by the Beijing Meteorological Bureau.

The houses, in aged communities and rural-urban fringe zones, have been rated "possible to fall in extreme weather" by the municipal housing commission. They cover more than 70,000 sq m.

"The dilapidated buildings are mainly occupied by migrant workers in rural-urban fringe zones," said Cheng Jing, director-general of the Beijing Water Authority. "About 40 percent of the buildings are located in old communities in western and eastern parts of Beijing, such as Xuanwu and Chongwen districts."