Flood­ing hits Chi­nese capital
Heavy rain, described as the worst in the area in more than 60 years, hit Bei­jing last week report­ed­ly killing 37 peo­ple. The com­mer­cial com­mu­ni­ca­tion was oper­at­ing as nor­mal in the urban area. 

As part of their ser­vice to the com­mu­ni­ty radio ama­teurs using VHF and UHF radios report­ed from the dis­as­ter areas, and par­tic­i­pat­ed in the actions to help peo­ple back home. 

Bei­jing host­ed the 2008 Olympic Games and more heavy rain is expect­ed across parts of Chi­na. The IARU soci­ety, Chi­nese Radio Sports Asso­ci­a­tion CRSA, takes part in an annu­al dis­as­ter drill as it pre­pare for disasters. 

- Jim Lin­ton VK3PC, Chair­man IARU Region 3 Dis­as­ter Com­mu­ni­ca­tions Com­mit­tee and Bin Fan BA1RB.