Perilous
Times and Climate Change
Millions affected as drought continues to ravage north China
2011-01-29 14:11:53
People set up irrigation system in a farmland in Jiaozuo, central
China's Henan Province, Jan. 27, 2011. (Xinhua/Xu Hongxing)
SHIJIAZHUANG, Jan. 29 (Xinhua) -- Drought continues to plague many
parts of China, with tens of thousands suffering water shortages
and millions of others affected.
Since October, little rain has fallen in several provinces
including Shandong, Hebei, Henan, Anhui, Shanxi and Jiangsu.
In north China's Hebei Province, 370,000 residents are having
difficulty getting drinking water while another 9 million are
affected in other ways, the provincial Civil Affairs Department
said.
Direct economic losses total 1.04 billion yuan (158 million U.S.
dollars).
Only two millimeters of rain has fallen in the province since
November, which is 80 percent less than normal.
In the wheat-growing province of Shandong, the snow that fell in
some areas on Friday was too little to affect the drought's grip.
Provincial authorities there raised the drought disaster alert to
its highest level on Thursday.
The State Council, China's Cabinet, allocated 2.2 billion yuan for
farm irrigation and drought-relief equipment and supplies on
Thursday.
The central government has earmarked 4 billion yuan to ensure
drinking water supply and water conservation projects in
drought-hit regions.