China is facing its worst drought in 50 years
Severe drought in northern and central China (Photo:xinhua.net)
North China has experienced since November, its most severe drought in its history. Evidenced by the Office of State Flood Control and Drought Relief Headquarters that has increased the alert level to a maximum level (from Grade 2 to Grade 1 Emergency Response to drought), 2 days ago.
According to the same Office, about 9.6 million hectares of crops have been affected by the drought nationwide, or 2.6 million hectares more than the same period last winter, meaning that the creepy drought the North encounters for few months, is now a severe drought.
10.33 million hectares (43% of the country’s wheat) are affected, including 1/3 heavily affected (1% of winter crops lost). But this should not affect food security in China, according to Mr. Li Guoxian, from the Rural Development Institut. Also, “the drought is expected to reduce wheat production by less than five percent,” said Ma Wenfeng, an analysis with Beijing Orient Agribusiness Consultant. Drinking water supply is also affected: 4.29 million people and 2.07 of one million livestock encounter drinking water problems.
Since November, the lack of rainfall in northern and central China causing unprecedented drought. The China Meterological Administration figures this gap between 50% and 80% compared to previous years. At Luoyang (Henan), a 80% drop in rainfall is observed compared to 2007. According to official figures, the lower reservoirs of the Yellow River reach between 3.4 and 14.6 billion cubic meters.
On 5 February, the central government launched a financial assistance of 300 million RMB, in addition to a previous aid of 100 million RMB. President Hu Jintao urged local governments to provide funds to increase the means of protecting crops and irrigation. “It is of vital significance to the overall economy to boost steady growth of grain production and farmers’ income as China is in a key stage to cope with the global financial crisis.”
Example of Anhui who planned to spray all surfaces of cultivation (1.6 million hectares) by 15 February. 300 million yuan had been spent by local authorities for relief materials. In Henan, the government has allocated 555 million yuan and plans to irrigate 4.7 million hectares of crops within 10 days.
Saturday, the government decided to divert a portion of the waters of the Yellow River in Henan and Shandong, and the Yangtze in Jiangsu Province. The cloud seeding to create artificial rain is also expected because the low rainfall this weekend in Shandong are not enough.
In the english newspaper Guardian (2009/02/04), Ma Jun, director of the Institute of Public and Environmental Affairs and author of China’s Water Crisis, said that to have more than 100 rainless days was a record in recent decades. But he added: “Water use in the region is not sustainable. We have seen rivers running dry because too much water has been diverted for farming and increasingly for urban and industrial use. We have seen the water table dropping steadily over the last three decades. Obviously this kind of drought adds insult to injury.”
From Le Monde, 2009/02/07: The intensity of the winter drought shows how China is vulnerable to the consequences of global warming: experts and Chinese and foreign environmentalists derive yet the alarm for years about the lack of structural water the country faces. Economic development at any cost, the lack of a more punitive tariff policy for consumers, pollution and inefficiency in agriculture have jeopardized its water safety and already broke the balance in the northern part of the country. Thus, irrigation in China continues to be practiced by flooding, a technique synonymous with waste of resources.
Premier Wen Jiabao inspects the growth of wheat at Yangbei Village (Photo:xinhua.net)
China to divert water from two longest rivers to ease drought – Xinhua.net
China fights worst drought in 50 years: articles, photos and videos – Xinhua.net
Chinese Premier Urges “Top Priority” on Drought Relief – China Radio Inernational
Rain, river diversion plans ease China drought – Reuters
Drought threatens Chinese wheat crop – Guardian
Une sécheresse sans précédent affecte le nord et le centre de la Chine – Le Monde