China promulgated a regulation Monday requiring meteorological authorities to conduct research on meteorological disasters, in an effort to reduce the damage from natural disasters like sand storms, blizzards, droughts, typhoons and icy weather.

The Legislative Affairs Office of the State Council, the Cabinet, said Tuesday in a statement the regulation is designed to better protect people's lives and properties.

The regulation, which takes effect April 1, requires meteorological authorities above the county level to conduct research on the frequency, intensity, and impact of meteorological disasters, and to set up a database to better evaluate risks.

Schools are asked to teach students how to protect themselves and rescue others during natural disasters under the guidance of educational or meteorological authorities.

The regulation also specifies the media's role in the event of meteorological disasters.

Media organizations are responsible for the release of disaster warnings and alerts given by the local meteorological centers, the regulation says.

Media organizations that fail in their responsibilities, release false information, or release alerts without authorization face fines of up to 50,000 yuan (about US$7,322), according to the regulation.

Media groups must cover the occurrence and development of disasters and emergency situations "timely and correctly", it reads.

China is one of the countries most susceptible to natural disasters and 70 percent of disasters occurring in China are meteorological ones, according to the statement.

(Xinhua News Agency February 3, 2010)