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October 16, 2013

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Home » Metro » Environment

Record rain creates stink for rivers

SOME local rivers have been left murky and foul-smelling after sewers overflowed and drained into waterways during last week’s torrential rain.

Officials said the stink may last for several days to come, following Shanghai’s heaviest rainfall in more than 50 years early last week.

Worst affected are several rivers in Songjiang, Baoshan and Hongkou districts, said an official with local water authority.

“Usually, the water will return to normal within a week. Residents are encouraged to report water quality to the authority,” the official added.

He said the rainwater overflowed into the sewage system at local pump stations after the rainstorm, polluting rivers.

Soil and debris also made their way into local rivers, while the rising water levels also stirred up mud and waste on riverbanks, adding to contamination, he added.

“I have been smelling a slight stink even at home for several days,” said a resident surnamed Sun, who lives in a scenic riverside location in a community in Songjiang.

The river near Sun’s home was still at a high level yesterday, and murky with debris and waste floating on the surface.

The situation remained the same even after the property management authority opened a dam downstream of the river stretch, said Sun

A section of Suzhou Creek in Hongkou District was also looking dark and murky yesterday, with some dead fish floating on the water.

“I’ve never seen anything like that in the past 10 years,” said an elderly resident surnamed Xiao.

The rain spawned by two typhoons, combined with a high tide in the Huangpu River, overwhelmed part of the city’s drainage system from last Monday through Tuesday.

Local authorities issued the highest level of rain and tide alerts as well as the second-highest alert for gales.

 




 

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