(BEIJING, July 20) -- To avoid untimely rainfall on August 8, 2008, Beijing’s meteorological authorities are doing experiments to dispel rain or let it fall in advance.
According to prediction and analysis, the rain frequency at that time is 50 percent, and the city’s 26 experimental stations are using chemical catalyst agents to modify the time and location of the rainfall or to dispel clouds, head of Beijing Weather Modification Office Zhang Qiang told local media The First.
Normally, August is the rain and thunderstorm season in Beijing. Since 2005 the meteorological authorities have been collecting the data of the days identical to those of the Olympic Games and a team of 170 people has been doing experiments to cope with a rainstorm, Zhang was quoted as saying.
However, the modification formula is effective only for a limited area in case of light rain. It can do little to prevent a heavy shower or a huge downpour, Zhang said.
