February 22, 2010
Drought in China hits 3.56 million arable hectares
Drought conditions have hit some 3.56 million hectares of arable land in China, affecting access to water for 3.33 million heads of livestock.
The afflicted areas include Yunnan Province, the south-western portion of Guizhou Province, the north-western portion of Guangxi Autonomous Region, the eastern portion of Sichuan Province, Chongqing city, the southern portion of Shanxi Province, the northern portion of Henan Province and Shaanxi Province.
Drought-like conditions are starting to emerge in winter wheat cultivation areas in portions of northern and north-western China, which have not seen rainfall in close to 40 days.
Affected areas have been given RMB640 million (US$94 million) in aid, as well as the deployment of personnel, equipment and irrigation vehicles for drought relief.
