Sichuan's meteorology facilities to be rebuilt

About 520 million yuan ($76.5 million) will be spent to rebuild the meteorology facilities in the areas devastated by the May 12 earthquake in Sichuan province, Xinhua reported yesterday.

More than 105 meteorological centers were damaged in the quake, and the Ministry of Finance said 3 years would be needed to upgrade the weather forecast service in Sichuan.

The China Meteorological Administration (CMA) has already asked meteorological centers in southeast China to help revamp meteorological services in Sichuan through funds or technology support, CMA Director Zheng Guoguang said at a press conference in Chengdu, provincial capital of Sichuan.