Beijing cloaked in noonday darkness

Source: Xinhuanet | 06-27-2007 16:55

A rainstorm descended on Beijing around 13:30 on Wednesday, June 27, 2007. The whole city was cloaked in almost complete darkness. [Photo: Xinhua]

Beijing was cloaked in almost complete darkness shortly after midday on Wednesday as a rainstorm descended on the city.

The rare weather phenomenon began at about 1:15 p.m. and lasted about 10 minutes. Lights came on in office buildings and workers crowded at windows, amazed to see that the daylight had disappeared.

People indoors without lights were lost in darkness.

Rain and gusting winds began to hit the city at about 1:30 p.m. when the pitch-dark sky lightened a couple of shades.

Local meteorological authorities forecast thundershower and storms in some areas of the capital in the afternoon and evening.