February 13, 2009

 

China's drought-hit areas receive much-needed rain

 

 

Farmers in China's drought-stricken areas were somewhat relieved as mild rainfall was welcomed by them on Thursday (Feb 12), with Beijing too getting its share.

 

According to the National Meteorological Centre (NMC), the rain could decrease the unusually high temperatures in Northern China by 4 deg C to 6 deg C today (Feb 13).

 

NMC chief forecaster Lin Jian said mild showers will continue until Saturday with 5 to 10 millimetres of rain seen in severely-drought hit provinces of Shandong and Hebei.

 

Lin added that the sudden dip in temperature will not damage the wheat cultivation but will protect the soil by creating a cold layer of topsoil that would shield the earth beneath.

 

More than half of the farmland in Shandong, Shanxi, Shaanxi and Gansu provinces are experiencing the worst drought in 50 years, the Ministry of Agriculture said. However, the mild showers have brought much-needed reprieve to farmers and officials alike.

 

The dry conditions could be further alleviated as rain has been forecasted for the drought-hit southern and western regions next month.

 

In an attempt to stimulate precipitation in the drought-hit areas, local authorities have readied thousands of weather rocket shells to be fired into the sky.

 

Being one of the worst hit provinces, Shandong was relieved after yesterday's rainfall.

 

Shandong provincial meteorological bureau said the province can expect 10 millimetres of rain between last night and today (Feb 13). However, it would only relieve the situation temporarily and not end the drought.

 

Lin forecast moderate rainfall for Hebei, too, during the same period.

 

On the other hand, Beijing ended its 38-year record of 110 days without rain, thanks to the China Air Force's effort to create artificial rain in Shandong and Beijing.

 

The worst dry spell in half a century has withered more than 40 percent of the nation's total wheat land, according to the Ministry of Agriculture.

 

It had affected 18 million hectares of farmland in the country till yesterday, and 4.8 million people and 2.5 million heads of livestock have to face water shortages, according to figures of the Office of State Flood Control and Drought Relief Headquarters.