M A I N   N E W S

China snows on Tibet

Beijing, April 18
China today claimed success in creating artificial snow in the northern part of the Tibet Autonomous Region for the first time, saying it proves that it is now possible for humans to change the weather pattern in the world's highest plateau.

Taking advantage of suitable weather conditions, the Tibet meteorological station carried out an artificial snowfall operation in Nagqu County in northern Tibet on April 10 at an altitude of about 4,500 metres.

"This proves it's possible for humans to change the weather on the world's highest plateau," an engineer with the meteorological station, Yu Zhongshui said.

Just one cm of snow lay on the ground after the artificial snowfall, Xinhua news agency reported from Lhasa, the Tibetan capital. In human history, weather control has traditionally been reserved for ancient sky gods but, over the last 60 years, scientists have become increasingly interested in tampering with the weather, claiming that they can benefit the mankind.

Other than China, countries such as the US, Australia, Russia, Pakistan, India and Thailand have all carried out artificial rain-making projects.

The approaches involve the use of chemicals like silver iodide to precipitate rain. They may be released from aircraft, or fired from the ground as flares. — PTI