Beijing plans weather modification for National Day

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2009-05-08 11:37

BEIJING -- Beijing's meteorological department will attempt to disperse rain clouds, which may cause interruptions of the country's planned National Day celebrations, said weather officials here on Friday.

"We are working on rain cloud dispersal plans in hope to ensure the weather services for the celebrations of the 60th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China on October 1," said Xie Pu, director of the department.

No details of the National Day celebrations has been available.

Xie said the bureau has had successful experiences in using airplanes and rockets to disperse rain clouds that pose a threat to the opening and and closing ceremonies of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games.

Guo Wenli, head of the Climate Center of the bureau, said weather data for the National Day period in the past 30 years suggested complicated weather conditions.

"We saw 20 percent of possibilities of rain fall, mostly drizzle," said the expert.

He said that rain cloud dispersal can be addressed in such conditions as drizzle or mist. It can not work when there is lightning and downpour, although there is the possibility of prevent clouds from entering the city.

The weather modification means were mainly used for enhancing the rain effect to ease drought in Beijing last year, which helped raise precipitation in Beijing's largest drinking water reserve in Miyun Reservoir by 39.2 millimeters and Guanting Reservoir, the second largest, by 26.7 millimeters, according to the bureau's statistics.