Heavy rains in China: Over 9,000 air passengers stranded at airport

Beijing: Over 9,000 air passengers were stranded on Wednesday due to heavy rains in southwest China's Sichuan province, according to local authorities. A rainstorm hit the Chengdu city from 3 am to 5 am on Wednesday.

Again from 10:30 am, heavy rain again pelted through the city, forcing the Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport to temporarily close both of its runways



twice.

So far a total of 34 flights had been cancelled, 98 delayed and 30 landed at alternate airports, leaving 9,000 passengers stranded at the airport, state-run Xinhua news agency reported.

Sichuan has been battered by heavy rains this summer.

Meteorological authorities have warned the public to be prepared for potential disasters as the rain continues.