The Beijing Meteorological Station is preparing to release a new kind of meteorological information to help residents avoid unnecessary losses and injuries caused by strong winds, the Beijing Youth Daily reports Wednesday.

A force nine gale swept the city Tuesday, greatly inconveniencing residents.

Beijing is a windy city where strong gales often blow in spring and winter, says Ding Deping, director of the station. Gales up to force nine were not uncommon in the region.

The current wind forecast only gives speed and direction, and does not specify what kind of measures people should take to keep themselves safe from strong gales.

Ding said the station was considering establishing a wind index suggesting precautions people should take.

For instance, force 3-4 winds indicated people should close doors and windows, force 5-6 indicated old people and children should stay inside, and force 7-8 would tell people to avoid being under big trees and billboards.

Ding said the new index was expected to dramatically help cut property losses and injuries caused by strong gales.

The station to date offered 50 meteorological indices relevant to people's daily lives.

(Xinhua News Agency June 12, 2002)