Forecasters predict treacherous weather during Games
Organisers of the Beijing Olympics could be left praying to the heavens after forecasters predicted a range of treacherous weather during the 17 days of the Games.
Some of the country's top meteorologists warned yesterday that two or three typhoons could affect several coastal co-host cities, including Hong Kong, this weekend after the opening ceremony on Friday.
On top of that, Beijing's August weather may be muggier than normal, stoking further concerns about the health of athletes.
Rain also threatens to disrupt the much-hyped opening ceremony, which organisers have long feared might happen.
'We estimate two or three typhoons will hit China's coastal areas during the Games,' said Qiao Lin , a senior weather official at the China Meteorological Administration. 'They might have Qingdao , Hong Kong and Shanghai in their paths. We will closely monitor and issue early warnings if they do develop into a substantial threat.'