The potentially harmful effects of weather manipulation are back in the news after Beijing announced that it is "preparing to manipulate the weather to ensure that it does not rain on the National Day parade on 1 October." The celebrations have added significance this year, as they mark the 60th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China.
State media confirms that "artificial rain reduction measures will be in place for the National Day celebration, during which President Hu Jintao will give a speech and the military will parade past Tian'anmen Square."
Beijing implemented similar weather manipulation measures last year for the 2008 Olympic Games, during which "meteorological workers fired 1,104 rain dispersal rockets from 21 sites in the capital on the eve of the opening ceremony" to prevent a rain belt from moving toward the stadium. The strategy resulted in several days of unseasonably humid weather in the Chinese capital before the Games.
Chinese state media adds that there are "some concerns" over the methodology of cloud seeding, which involves dispersing substances like silver iodide into the air to alter the microphysical processes within the cloud. "The chemical can cause temporary incapacitation or possible residual injury to humans and mammals if intensively exposed," China Daily reports.
The city of Guangzhou has also announced that it will use "rain elimination" methods during the 2010 Asian Games. Worldwide, cloud seeding is being considered as a means to solve a range of problems, including bush fires in Australia, filling an artificial lake in Thailand and alleviating flooding in India.
Related Story:
Silver Iodide The Catalyst For Guangzhou Asian Games 'Rain Elimination' Plan
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