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The Director of the Hong Kong Observatory, Mr Lam Chiu-ying, today (March 23) used the occasion of World Meteorological Day, to talk to the press about the Observatory's activities. Mr Lam announced the "One District One Station" project and the preparation of an education kit on climate change.
He thanked the Observatory staff for their hard work. "My colleagues are motivated by their devotion to the profession, and the satisfaction and sense of achievement derived from successfully completing projects after projects in the service of people," Mr Lam said.
The Observatory team is well-respected by the international meteorological community. Seventeen Observatory staff serve as experts in various capacities in international organisations, such as World Meteorological Organisation, International Civil Aviation Organisation. They take up 11 posts at the level of chairman, vice-chairman, or project leaders in areas ranging from disaster prevention, aviation meteorology, co-ordination of world weather websites etc. "This is a testament to our scientific strength, our excellent service and the trust which the international meteorological community places on us," Mr Lam said.
On the revised Tropical Cyclone Warning System, Mr Lam said that after the 2007 typhoon season, the arrangements would be reviewed with an open mind, taking into account the experience gained and further feedback from the public. "The work to cut out a system matching the expectation of the public never ends."
Looking ahead, Mr Lam announced the "One District One Station" project. At least one automatic weather station to measure the temperature will be set up in each of Hong Kong's 18 districts. The first additional stations will be set up in Kowloon City District, Eastern District, and Central and Western District this year.
"We also plan to develop an education kit on climate change for distribution to schools to support promotional activities in schools." This is a new initiative responding to the increasing interest of the local public on climate change.
The Observatory will acquire a broadband seismograph to strengthen Hong Kong's capability to predict tsunami. Data received by the seismograph will be used to determine the details of the movement of the earth’s plates during an earthquake. "Together with the results of the Observatory's computer simulations of tsunamis, the height and arrival time of the tsunami generated, if any, could be estimated," Mr Lam said.
Regarding this year's weather, Mr Lam said the annual rainfall in 2007 would be near normal, and the number of tropical cyclones affecting Hong Kong would be five to six.
Please visit the following web page for the full text of Mr Lam's speech at today's meet-the-media session:
http://www.weather.gov.hk/dhkovoice/speech0323e.htm
Ends/Friday, March 23, 2007
Issued at HKT 18:16
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