Beijing ponders heat-stroke warning index

BEIJING, May 27 (Reuters) - Heat-stroke warnings could be issued in weather forecasts for the 2008 Olympic Games, the Xinhua news agency said, after the temperature in the capital soared to its highest May level in more than 50 years.

Beijing sizzled in 37.2-degree Celsius (98 Fahrenheit) heat yesterday, the highest for the month since 1951.

The new heat-stroke index would break down the impact of high temperatures by age and sex, the report quoted Huang Zhuo, a researcher at the national meteorological centre as saying.

It could be added to weather forecasts before the Olympics, Huang added.

China decided to move the start of the 2008 Olympics from late July to August 8 because data indicated that there was less chance of rain then, but temperatures will be high in a city known for its hot summers.

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