Metro

Chinese water torture

Chinatown is drowning — in stinky puddles of standing water.

Community leaders used yesterday’s torrential downpour to declare war on the dirty pools that accumulate and don’t drain.

They said they’re unsightly, unhealthy and make people less willing to eat and shop in Chinatown — where the problem is more pronounced than elsewhere.

“It is a hazard and a blight on the community,” said state Sen. Daniel Squadron (D-Manhattan).

He released the results of a survey conducted by his staff showing that two out of five people are less likely to visit the area because of the smelly water. It also found that 72 percent of 347 people surveyed said the pools leave them with a negative impression.