Recent snowfall coupled with improved irrigation methods have eased the drought in parched regions of north China.

The drought has affected nearly 7 million hectares of wheat crops in eight provinces. These include Hebei, Shanxi, Jiangsu, Anhui, Shandong, Henan, Shaanxi and Gansu. Snowfalls and irrigation in drought-stricken areas have brought relief to 300,000 hectares of crops.

However, farmers must still contend with the dry spell, with no rain forecast over the next few days. Most areas crippled by drought cannot expect artificial snow because of minimal cloud-cover.

(CNTV.cn February 16, 2011)