The heaviest rains in 70 years hit China's largest city, Shanghai,Thursday, flooding 3,000 households and stranding nearly 2,000 passengers at airports.

No casualties have been reported.

Rainfall reached 80 to 140 mm in most areas of the city. The water was 10 to 30 cm deep on the roads and 5 to 10 cm in households in Luwan, Huangpu, Zhabei and Jinshan districts.

Some vehicles were damaged by fallen tree branches, according to the municipal headquarters of flood control.

More than 500 workers are clearing away the water.

The weather delayed 49 flights to Shanghai and 19 departing flights from Hongqiao and Pudong airports. Another eight flights landed at alternative airports, according to the Shanghai Airport Authority.

Some flights started taking off from Pudong airport at 5 p.m., but it was unknown when schedules would return to normal.

(Xinhua News Agency July 30, 2009)