The World Expo reported smooth operation yesterday after a heavy thunderstorm brought by tropical storm Lion Rock pounded the city yesterday afternoon.
No flooding was reported at the Expo site though precipitation ranged from 69.8 to 114.9 millimeters.
Expo's emergency crew had carried out thorough checks on the site's drainage system. They also put away sun shades that might be blown away by gale force winds and secured outdoor objects and tents as a precaution.
The public areas and pavilions provided shelters to visitors during the downpour.
Some 179,500 people entered the Expo site by 8pm yesterday, the lowest since the world fair started on May 1.
Among yesterday's visitors, 45,700 came in tour groups and 16,300 were local residents with free tickets provided by the Shanghai government. A total of 31,242 tickets were sold at the gates, 8,485 of them for evening visit.
As of 6pm, 29,000 visitors had passed through Houtan entrance, compared with 26,000 at Shangnan Road entrance, 27,000 at Changqing Road entrance and 28,000 at Gaoke Road entrance.
As many as 71 shows were performed at Expo venues from morning to 5pm yesterday, attracting 24,500 spectators.
Five on-site health clinics treated 137 visitors yesterday by 4pm.
The Organizer expects some 67,000 group visitors today and advices people to visit the Expo now as the weather is not that hot and also to avoid big crowds coming between mid September to the end of October.
