WINDHOEK, July 5 (Xinhua) -- Meteorological equipment worth 2.4 million U.S. dollars donated by China were handed over to Namibia at an event here on Thursday.

Namibia received 10 sets of Manned Weather Observation Systems; five sets of Automated Weather systems; one central and work station software; meteorological communication system; FY-3 meteorological satellite data collecting and processing system and the FY3-3 meteorological satellite information processing and application system.

On behalf of Namibia's Minister of Works John Mutorwa, deputy minister James Sankwasa said the donation emanated from China-Africa cooperation which expressed its willingness to strengthen cooperation and build capacity of selected meteorological services in Africa to enable it to respond to the growing needs of citizens, especially in the areas of disaster prevention and mitigation, climate change and meteorological observation.

According to the him, the donated equipment came at the time when it was needed.

"For example, the recent tropical cyclone Dineo, although reached Namibia in a weakened state as a tropical depression was tracked using FY-3 Satellite until it dissipated in the Atlantic ocean," he noted.

Meanwhile, Chinese Ambassador to Namibia Zhang Yiming said he was happy that Namibia is among the recipients and is proud China is helping enhance the capacity in such a vital public services of meteorology in Namibia.

According to the deputy minister, the adverse impacts of weather and climate extremes on the mainstream economic activities such as agriculture, health, fisheries, water, transport and food security are a great challenge to the country.

The early warning system once operational would provide timely warning and advisories that could save lives and reduce extensive damage to properties, he added.

The cooperation between the two countries on this scale in the field meteorological is commendable and needs to be sustained for the benefit of all, he added.