|
Four of China's drought-hit provinces have seen some rain over the last two days and eight others are being successfully irrigated.
The Office of State Flood Control and Drought Relief Headquarters says Tuesday the provinces of Shanxi, Henan, Anhui and Jiangxi have seen some rain.
E Jingping, secretary-general of the office, reveals moderate or slight rainfall has eased watershortages for almost 1 million people and 25 million mu, or 1.6 million hectares of farmland.
The drought started in November last year and was upgraded to the highest drought warning status last Friday. It is the worst drought in northern China for fifty years, and is particularly bad for the country's wheat crops.
E reports though that 60 percent of the drought-stricken winter wheat cropland in eight major producing provinces are now being irrigated.
He adds the irrigated area is growing by 600,000 hectares every day and most winter wheat crops will be irrigated within 10 days.
Currently, 136 million mu of crops are still under the affects of the drought. Almost 3.5 million people and over 1.6 million livestock are facing water shortages.
(Xinhua News Agency February 11, 2009) | 
