Pumps at work when an anti-flood and anti-hurricane drill was carried out yesterday. The drill was to prepare for the four-month flood season due to start on June 1. — Jiang Xiaowei

The city launched an anti-flood and anti-hurricane drill in a construction site near Zhongshan Park yesterday to prepare for the four-month flood season that is due to start on June 1. This year is expected to see more rain and stronger hurricanes.

The drill tested emergency responses at the construction site on the trunk road Beiheng Passage under hurricane and heavy rain scenarios, Shanghai Flood Control Headquarters said.

Exercises involved reinforcing facilities and portable houses at the construction site, draining water from a pit and evacuating workers underground,

More than 100 officials from the city and district flood prevention emergency teams joined the drill.

Deep foundation pits on construction sites are vulnerable during the flood season, as large pools of water can damage facilities and endanger workers.

The pit used for yesterday’s drill was 31 meters in depth and covered an area of 2,000 square meters — making it the deepest pit of this size in Shanghai.

“If there’s no contingency responses, the pit would soon become a 31-meter deep swimming pool, very dangerous for the workers,” said Wang Jin, project manager of the construction site.

Deputy mayor Chen Yin said at the site that Shanghai had many construction projects taking place this year.

The authorities needed to ensure they were able to tackle emergencies when severe hurricanes and flooding occurred, Chen added.