THE ENVIRONMENT
Research
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Investigations and basic research in applied meteorology and geophysics were carried out and meteorological analyses were undertaken for several major engineering projects such as the design and planning for construction of large oil tanks and piers at Tsing Yi Island and the laying of major submarine cables. Consultative services were rendered to other government departments and to local and overseas institutes and organisations in relation to various weather-sensitive activities. These included advice on expected weather conditions during the Queen's visit in May and the analysis of waves in the Malacca Straits in relation to beach erosion problems.
During the year, a statistical study was made of the mean rainfall distribution associated with tropical cyclones within 300 nautical miles of Hong Kong, and the results were used to estimate the amount of rainfall in Hong Kong from tropical cyclones over the South China Sea. Intensive research was also undertaken to deter- mine the relationship between large-scale Asian weather features in winter and their effect on the summer rainfall in Hong Kong.
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Long-range rainfall forecasts have been issued annually to the general public since 1973. The seasonal forecast issued in February 1975 was for a wet summer, with rainfall for the whole year to be about 15 per cent above average. Weather patterns associated with the dry and wet spells during summer in Hong Kong were examined and a case study of the heavy rainfall caused by two typhoons moving on a similar track was made. The effect of solar activity on local weather was also evaluated. An objective method for predicting the mean temperatures for the winter months in Hong Kong was developed using stratospheric data.
Pollution Monitoring and Control
The Advisory Committee on Environmental Pollution (EPCOM) and its three sub-committees dealing with water and land pollution, air pollution, and noise pollution-were active throughout the year. The terms of reference of EPCOM are to keep under constant review the state of the environment and pollution and to advise the Secretary for the Environment, EPCOM comprises a chairman, 15 non- government members representing many walks of life, and 12 senior government officers from various departments interested in pollution control. They have made a number of recommendations which have been accepted by the Secretary for the Environment.
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The Environment Branch of the Colonial Secretariat, which is the policy making body for the control of pollution, has been concerned with many pollution problems. They include conservation of the countryside, hawkers, noise from air conditioners and construction equipment, sewage treatment and disposal, and excessive smoke from vehicle exhausts. Particular attention has been given to the potential pollution problems which can be expected if sophisticated modern industries involving the use or manufacture of chemicals on a large scale establish themselves in Hong Kong. The disposal of wastes likely to arise from proposed industrial estates, especially those containing heavy industry, has also been under scrutiny. It is considered that- both for the present situation and future development-the existing legislation for