Costs and meteorological techniques in tropical water resources developments.

Abstract

This talk was planned initially as all introduction to the proposed symposium on tropical water resources. The symposium has evaporated and I was not sure if this note should be still presented. Its scientific content is small I was advised not to withdraw, however and perhaps this may be justified by my discussing the limited applicability of present meteorological techniques. It is necessary to recognize these limitations, if meteorology is to be related honestly and profitably to the costs of water resources developments or if its future value is to be extended. Finally, although meteorological considerations are hardly of dominating importance at present, the costs of many developments is so high, that even small fractional savings can involve huge sums of money.