In a strange and unexpected turn of events, China’s attempt to combat a severe heatwave with cloud-seeding technology resulted in more than just rain – it sparked a bizarre “underwear crisis” that left residents of Chongqing caught in a storm of flying garments.
The megacity of Chongqing, home to millions, had been enduring an oppressive two-week heatwave that delayed the reopening of schools and universities. In a bid to alleviate the scorching temperatures, local authorities decided to fire nearly 200 cloud-seeding rockets into the sky to induce rain. However, what followed was far more than they bargained for.
Last Monday, as artificial rain poured down over Chongqing, powerful winds clocking in at 76 mph swept through the city, creating a whirlwind of chaos. But it wasn’t just leaves and debris being scattered across the streets – residents’ laundry, particularly their underwear, was caught up in the gusts, blown off balconies and sent soaring through the skies. Thus, the incident now dubbed the “9/2 Chongqing underwear crisis” began.
Chongqing’s cloud-seeding to end a heatwave led to the “9/2 underwear crisis” as a windstorm scattered laundry across the city. With gusts up to 76 mph, bras and pants flew through the streets. Officials say the storm was natural, not caused by cloud-seeding. #Chongqing pic.twitter.com/pmKrvWOZSj
— NTE (@NoToEvils) September 9, 2024
Chinese social media platforms, especially Weibo, erupted with videos of undergarments flying through the air and landing on streets, tree branches, and even vehicles. Ethele, a Chongqing local, shared her experience: “I just went out and it suddenly started to rain heavily, and underwear fell from the sky.” Another resident, clearly frustrated by the loss of her high-end Calvin Klein set, sarcastically asked, “Who’s going to compensate me for my emotional damage?”
Despite the inconveniences, the incident also sparked humor. One Weibo user, making light of the situation, joked that the storm could lead to unexpected romance: “You might even pick up your crush’s underwear while taking a walk on the street.” Others, like one self-described “lifelong introvert,” admitted they couldn’t help but laugh at the absurdity of it all.
The storm and its aftermath were no laughing matter for Chongqing’s authorities, though. The hashtag “underwear crisis” racked up over seven million views on Weibo, with another 18 million engagements focused on a tongue-in-cheek reminder: “If you think you messed up at work, just think of the Chongqing Meteorological Bureau.”
Officials, however, were quick to downplay the connection between the rockets and the sudden winds. Zhang Yixuan, deputy director of the Chongqing Weather Modification Office, assured the public that the storm was entirely natural: “There are definitely strong winds, but this is caused by natural conditions. Artificial rainfall will not cause extreme weather.”
Is anyone else amazed how governments are just admitting that they are doing this now? Like it’s normal.
Wait a second… wasn’t this supposed to be a whacky conspiracy theory?? 👀
The BBC just reported this:
“The authorities there decided to use cloud seeding missiles to bring around a storm… I didn’t even know such thing existed”#WeatherWeapons pic.twitter.com/t6Ncvr2Cjw— Jay Anderson – Project Unity (@TheProjectUnity) September 10, 2024