China wheat crops under threat despite rainfall

Despite some snow and rainfall easing the drought situation in China, the country's major wheat areas are still under threat, the Office of State Flood Control and Drought Relief Headquarters said over the weekend.

As of February 7, 20 million hectares of arable land have been hit by drought, up 7.3 million hectares from a year ago, said the office in a statement published on its Web site.

Crops have been planted on at least 10 million hectares, most of it wheat, it added.

The rain and snowfall in drought areas will end today, but northern and northeast China will see some snowfall, the China Meteorological Administration said Monday (February 9).