Severe drought hits agriculture in China's Yunnan and Guangxi

A recent drought has affected 1.14 million hectares of crops, resulting in direct economic losses of more than RMB3.6 billion (US$527 million) in the agriculture sector in Yunnan and Guangxi, China.

 

"The drought might last until the end of April, but the rainwater kept in some villagers' home can only help them survive for another one and a half months at most," Li Kun, deputy director of the water affairs bureau of Kunming's Xishan district said.

 

The drought relief department in Yunnan has declared a red alert drought emergency for the area.

 

Yunnan's rainfall since last July has been just over 200 mm, lower than the perennial average and a record low.

 

Other than low rainfall, the province is also experiencing record high temperatures. Average temperatures have been nearly 2 C above normal.

 

The prolonged drought has also left 110,000 heads of livestock without adequate drinking water in Guangxi.

 

The mountainous areas in western and north-western parts of the region have lacked rainfall since August last year, said a spokesman for the regional flood control and drought relief headquarters.

 

"Local governments have been sending water trucks to villages that suffer severe shortages," the spokesman said.

 

The government raised its emergency response on Tuesday (Feb 2) to grade IV, requiring a 24-hour alert, daily damage reports, as well as relief funds and materials within 48 hours.

 

The government has also earmarked RMB50 million (US$7.3 million) in emergency funds to help the province and region restore agricultural production and ensure that people and livestock have adequate drinking water.