China's central and northern regions are enduring a severe drought coupled with unprecedented high temperatures. The National Meteorological Center has issued a yellow alert for high temperatures on Sunday, marking the 10th consecutive day of such warnings. Provinces like Henan and Hebei are among the hardest hit, with 16 national weather stations recording record-breaking daily highs.
The State Flood Control and Drought Relief Headquarters has maintained a Level-IV emergency response for Hebei, Inner Mongolia, Shandong, and Henan. This system ranges from Level I being the most severe to Level IV, highlighting the critical nature of the situation.
Shandong province, in particular, is facing significant challenges, with this month's precipitation being only 12.2% of the average for the same period in previous years. Despite the arid conditions, the province has managed to secure water for residential use and livestock. Authorities have implemented various measures to ensure agricultural irrigation as the wheat harvest approaches completion.
The Yimeng Mountain area in central Shandong is among the most affected, suffering from a prolonged lack of effective rainfall since spring and intense summer heat. To combat the water shortage, local authorities have introduced a cascade water supply plan utilizing large, medium, and small reservoirs. Additionally, farmers are being encouraged to adopt efficient irrigation methods such as drip and sprinkler systems to conserve water.
In Linyi City, which oversees the Yimeng Mountain area, the wheat harvest has progressed well, with 4.39 million mu (approximately 2,927 square kilometers) of fields harvested by June 11. These efforts demonstrate the resilience and adaptability of the region in the face of increasingly extreme weather conditions.
Reference(s):
China takes action as drought hits central and northern regions
cgtn.com
