China's guns are out for Olympic rainclouds

As soon as the order comes - day or night - eight farmers will rush to a battery of 37mm anti-aircraft guns installed in a courtyard in the village of Beixing. Four will carry the shells to the guns, two will load them and two will take aim and open fire at the enemy in the sky.

Their mission is to protect the honour of a nation. But their targets are not fighter jets or bombers; they are the rain clouds and smog that threaten to spoil the Beijing Olympics.

The Beixing gunners are among 100 villagers around the Chinese capital who are on standby to “seed” clouds - forcing them to shed or retain their rain - before the opening ceremony of the Games on August 8.

Guided by the Beijing Meteorological Bureau, they will fire shells containing silver iodide and other chemicals into any clouds seen heading towards the roofless Bird's Nest national stadium.  More on the Times Online website.