China weather agency stresses updated forecasts for severe winter

BEIJING, Jan. 2 (Chinese media) -- The China Meteorological

Administration (CMA) issued a circular on Thursday, urging its branches across

the country to provide updated forecasts for snow and rain.

Meteorological departments at all levels should try

to improve short- and medium-term forecasts for snow, rain, frost and storms and

alert local governments, relevant organizations and the public via phone, text

messages, e-mail and other methods, according to the circular.

All departments should be fully prepared to deal with

extreme-weather emergencies and help the public to prepare for such situations.

They should be able to give accurate and

comprehensive appraisals of severe snow and rain and provide local governments

at all levels with advice for decision-making.

"Meteorological departments should also pay attention

to the drought in north China and areas along the Yellow and Huaihe rivers and

provide forecasts for anti-drought campaigns in those grain production bases,"

said Jiao Meiyan, deputy-director of the CMA.

Heavy snow and rain, the worst in five decades, hit

southern China in January and February 2008, resulting in deaths, structural

collapses, blackouts, accidents, transport problems and livestock and crop

losses in 19 provinces, municipalities and autonomous regions, according to the

Ministry of Civil Affairs.

At least 100 million people were affected and at

least 60 died.