China to build sponge cities to address water logging

BEIJING: China plans to turn its cities into "sponges" to absorb rain water after several of its urban centres were inundated in heavy rains causing fatalities among the public.

A campaign called "sponge city" will see the construction of high-level urban sewer systems during renovation work and new roads, residences, industrial parks and public green areas, a statement released by the central cabinet here said.

The sewer system will drain rain water quickly and guide it to collection facilities for recycling.

The government encourages private investors to participate in the construction of the new sewer systems and asks financial institutions to provide support.

Heavy rain often results in floods in cities with outdated sewer systems, state-run Xinhua news agency reported.

In one case, 79 people died in Beijing after a rainstorm on July 21, 2012.

Heavy rains and occasional thunderstorms are common in China.