China will install a national weather radar system in five years to improve the accuracy of weather forecasting, according to officials with the China Meteorological Administration.

The central and local governments will allocate a total of 2 billion yuan to install over 90 Doppler radar units near flood- prone rivers and lakes and in coastal areas.

So far, 38 radar units have been installed in Shanghai and east China's Anhui Province.

In central China's Hunan Province, a province severely affected by last year's flooding of the Yangtze River, radar will be installed at a cost of 60 million yuan, and these units will be connected with 48 meteorological stations and 14 ground control devices.

The province's weather officials expect the radar's ability to provide early warnings for thunderstorms, hail and tornadoes.

Disastrous weather causes 15.3 billion yuan of economic losses to the agricultural province annually.

Experts say that the Doppler weather radar system uses the world's most advanced technology to provide continuous data on the atmosphere, and can save 40 percent more in economic benefits.

China began to work with the US Lockheed Martin Corp. to develop this technology in 1996 when the first unit was produced and installed in Shanghai. The new generation of the product, called the Cinrad Doppler radar, is now ready and will be used as part of the national meteorological system. (Xinhua)