Tibet's annual precipitation rises in past 50 years

BEIJING, April 27 (Xinhuanet) -- The precipitation in
southwest China's Tibet rose at an average annual rate of 10.9 mm every ten
years from 1961 to 2008, according to the Meteorological Bureau of Tibet
Autonomous Region.

Statistics from the 38 climate data stations in the
region show that the annual rainfall recorded by most stations was on the rise,
said Du Jun, senior engineer of the Cimate Cnter of the bureau.

The precipitation in southwest China's
Tibet rose at an average annual rate of 10.9 mm every ten years from 1961
to 2008, according to the Meteorological Bureau of Tibet Autonomous
Region. (Xinhua Photo)
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The increased precipitation is found most evident in
most areas along the Yanlung Tsangpo River, southern Chamdo Prefecture and
western Nagqu Prefecture, he added.

Meanwhile, the number of days recording more than 25
mm of precipitation rose year on year, according to the analysis of the heavy
rainfall and snowfall in the past 50 years.

Moreover, the region has had more precipitation since
the 1990s. The 1990s had more precipitation than in the 1980s, with an increase
of 58.7 mm. The region suffered more waterlogging than drought.

Higher precipitation is conducive to the improvement
of the ecological environment in arid areas for a short time, and to the growth
and recovery of forage grass on highland pastures, experts pointed out.

However, this may also lead to the frequent
occurrence of floods and various geological disasters.

Although it is difficult for experts to make an
accurate forecast of the clamatic changes in the future, they agreed that, in
the next few decades, the surface temperature of Tibet will keep rising and
changes will take place in precipitation.

Most studies indicate that precipitation in most area
will increase. Clamatic changes will continue to have a noticeable impact on the
region's ecological system and environment.

Tibet's annual temperature up sharply in 50
years

BEIJING, April 24
(Xinhuanet) -- Tibet's average annual temperature rose by 0.32 degree Centigrade
every ten years from 1961 to 2008, markedly higher than the national and global
averages, according to the Regional Meteorological Bureau.

Research results show that China's annual temperature has
increased 0.05 degree Centigrade to 0.08 every decade, while the global annual
temperature has risen by 0.02 degree Centigrade.