Residents in Shenzhen will benefit from more accurate weather information and forecasts after the Shenzhen Meteorological Observatory Radar Tower was put into operation yesterday.

The Doppler Radar, which was installed on top of the tower building, is designed to provide detailed coverage with an extended range of 250 kilometers. It operates 24 hours a day and scans the entire area at six-minute intervals.

"The new advanced facilities and radar system will help improve public safety by allowing forecasters to quickly and precisely detect and predict severe weather events and then give the necessary warnings to the public," said Huang Jingji, head of the city's meteorological observatory bureau, at a meeting marking the relocation of the bureau's office yesterday. "Nobody should underestimate the glittering white ball on top of the tower. It is the new-generation radar system and has achieved much success in predicting rainstorms and typhoons since the start of this year."

Every year, severe weather such as heavy rains, strong winds and thunderstorms wreak much havoc in the city. But the damage caused by bad and severe weather had been greatly reduced in 2006, compared with the previous year, Huang said.

The city’s calamity-prevention capacity had been greatly improved in recent years with the improvement of the weather forecasting service, according to Huang.

The tower building, the new office of the Shenzhen Meteorological Observatory, is located on a small hill in the east of the Shenzhen International Garden and Flower Expo Park. Built over four years at a cost of 93 million yuan (US$12.24 million), the tower now serves as a high-tech center combining meteorological observation, broadcasting, communication and scientific research.

"The facilities, including the digital and high-definition meteorological system, are the best in China," said Zhang Guoguang, head of the State Meteorological Administration, during an inspection tour after the meeting yesterday.

According to the observatory, the city will improve meteorological infrastructure by establishing a planetarium in Nan’ao, Longgang District. The planetarium, costing almost 50 million yuan, will be open by the end of next year. 

Editor: Yan