The Shanghai Meteorological Department says that they have prepared to take emergency measures to reduce rain that may occur during the opening and closing ceremonies of the 2007 Special Olympics World Summer Games in Shanghai.

Xinhua reports Huang Jiaxin, deputy director of the Special Olympics Meteorological Service Guarantee Department, says that it if necessary, they will take artificial measures to reduce the clouds and rain.

As a part of the emergency measures, work on reducing clouds and rain was formally initiated starting in late August when a command center was set up within the Special Olympics Games Executive Committee. According to Huang, a total of 13 rocket projection sites have been planned around Shanghai to facilitate the emergency work.

Huang says that a total of four aircraft will be used to clear away the clouds, and by using highly efficient macromolecule moisture absorption projectiles, they have prepared for all types of weather.

The games started on October 2 and end October 11, 2007.