But what if a natural disaster strikes the shelter?

Not long ago, Shanghaiist reported on a possible (and false) terrorist threat in China. Now with the largest civilian shelter built in Minhang district, maybe some of us can stop panicking and move on with our lives. Well, maybe 8,000-10,000 of us.

According to this Dongfang Daily report (in Chinese), this shelter, located in Wujing Zhen, covers more than 30,000 square meters, spans Hongmei Nan Lu and is able to hold 8,000-10,000 people for temporary relocation. There are 693 rooms, each with a kitchen, a toilet, electric lights ... and even cable TV! (Sounds like Shanghaiist's kind of camping.) The shelter/relocation centre was originally temporary residence for citizens whose apartment buildings were under reconstruction. After those people moved out, it was changed to a shelter, which will be put in use during natural disasters or epidemics -- do they know something we don't know?

The Civilian Defense Department of Minhang District district will also arrange drills to improve awareness of civilian defense among residents.

Whenever we hear the sirens, we'll be on the first bus to Minhang. (Nah, we'll probably just turn our stereo up a little louder, and then sleep soundly knowing that if the bird flu turns into a human epidemic, .05 percent of Shanghai residents will have a place to stay with cable TV ... unless, of course, everyone at the shelter gets the bird flu, too.)

Image from theshelter.missouri.org.