Meteorological authorities in Fuzhou city, Fujian province, sent off 18 cloud seeding rockets into the sky on Jan 13 which led to heavy rain in the nick of time.

A cloud-seeding rocket is launched to make rain in Fuzhou, Fujian province, Jan 13. [Photo/fznews.com.cn]

The rockets were launched in Mawei district and the counties of Fuqing, Minhou and Lianjiang in the early morning.

Strong precipitation then came as expected. And as of 7 pm, the city witnessed a rainfall of 40 mm on average. Lianjiang county reported the most rainfall of 49 mm.

The artificial rain will greatly alleviate a lingering drought in Fuzhou since September which has affected water supply for agricultural, industrial and residential use, said the authority.