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The popularity of the service is also demonstrated by repeated requests from members of the public to expand the information contents of the service. The observatory is currently planning to increase the number of Dial-a-Weather lines and to introduce an interactive telephone enquiry service later this year.
To supplement the Dial-a-Weather service, the observatory commenced its Internet home-page service in early 1996. The home-page features the latest weather readings, forecasts and warnings in force, satellite cloud pictures, the weather of overseas cities, as well as topics of general interest including tropical cyclone, earthquake monitoring, astronomical and tidal information. A Chinese version was added last December.
The number of visits to the observatory Web site topped the one million mark in 1996. The observatory home-page is currently accounting for roughly a quarter of all visits to Hong Kong Government home pages.
"Dial-a-Weather" telephone numbers:
Latest weather information and forecast
187 8066 (English)
187 8200 (Cantonese)
Weather information for south China coastal waters
187 8970 (English)
187 8001 (Cantonese)
Internet Home-page address:
http://www.info.gov.hk/ro/index.htm
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