Beijing is prepared to deal with various possible weather conditions during the 2008 Olympics. Weather modification is included in the contingency plan but will be practiced with caution.
At the press conference held on July 15 by the Beijing International Media Center - one of three Olympic press centers in Beijing - Chen Zhenlin, an official from the China Meteorological Administration (CMA), said a risk analysis based on historical records showed extreme weather conditions including high temperatures, heavy rainfall, thunder, gales and thick fog were possible during the Olympics.
Chen noted that the CMA, after seven years of efforts, has carefully prepared to deal with extreme weather conditions. “Weather modification through human intervention is included in our contingency plan," he confirmed.
However, he stressed, weather modification has had a very limited effect so far. It can only be applied on a small scale to prevent weak rain clouds. And the operation is subject to relevant laws and regulations. Decisions on the launch of this technology will be made on the basis of coordination between the CMA and the Beijing municipal government.
“We can neither make weather modification the last resort nor the most effective tool to guarantee good weather conditions for the opening ceremony of the Beijing Olympics,” concluded Yu Xinwen, spokesperson for the CMA at the press conference.
By People's Daily Online
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