Drought in China; millions at risk

Feb 26, 2010, ST

Crops hit and it may have to turn to imports

A resident walks across a partially dried reservoir basin in Shilin in China's Yunnan province. Millions of hectares of crops have been affected by the severe drought in the south-western region of the country, including sugar, rubber, wheat and vegetables. -- PHOTO: REUTERS

BEIJING: A severe drought in south-western China has left more than seven million people without adequate drinking water and hit hectares of crops there.

It is the worst dry spell in 60 years for Yunnan province, the country's second-largest producer of sugar cane and rubber.

The local agricultural bureau said that the drought, which began late last year, has affected a total of 2.55 million ha of crops, including wheat and vegetables, accounting for 85 per cent of the province's total growing area.

Farmers have almost completed harvesting sugar cane and will start tapping rubber trees in April.

Lower Chinese output could force China, a major rubber consumer, to import more.

Also badly hit is the neighbouring province of Guizhou, whose reservoirs and hydro-power generated electricity supplies are at risk.

The drought has also affected the top sugar producing region of Guangxi.

That could cut China's production to only 11 million tonnes in the 12 months to September, 12 per cent lower than the previous year, and not enough to meet the country's demand, according to the China Sugar Association.

Nearly six million people and 3.6 million head of livestock are facing drinking water shortages in Yunnan.

If the drought continues, the number of people without sufficient drinking water will rise to 7.92 million next month, Xinhua news agency cited Yunnan Governor Qin Guangrong as saying.

In addition, more crop land will be affected and grain production will be greatly reduced.

On Tuesday, Mr Qin said the risk of forest fires would increase as the drought persisted.

Local fire control officials say that at least 84 forest fires have been reported in the province since November, up 611 per cent from the same period the previous year.

Xinhua said 21 Chinese boats had been grounded and crews rescued on the Lancang-Mekong River, which is at its lowest level in 50 years.

The local authorities have stopped issuing permits to vessels to cross the border because the river is flowing at only half the normal level.

XINHUA, REUTERS