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Severe drought hits China's grain zones

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2009-08-17 21:41

BEIJING: A severe drought has affected 170 million mu (11.33 million hectares) of crops in China, the State Flood Control and Drought Relief Headquarters said on Monday.

The hard-hit areas are China's main grain production bases and the drought might threaten autumn harvest as it is a crucial season for crop growth, said Zhang Xu, an official with the headquarters.

Among the total affected crops, 62.99 million mu suffered serious drought and 16.08 million mu dried up, according to the headquarters.

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About 3.9 million people had difficulties getting sufficient water, as well as about 4.37 million livestock.

Local governments have been fighting drought to ensure water supply for residents and for crops growth.

About 6.82 million people had participated in drought-fighting as of August 10 in worst-hit areas of the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region and Jilin, Shanxi and Liaoning provinces.

About 340,000 automobiles had been put into use to transport water as of August 10, according to the headquarters.

Western Liaoning Province received light rain Sunday night, the first for almost two months, and local meteorological department made artificial rain following the light rain to relieve drought.

Drought quickly expanded through northern and northeastern China since late July, as a result of insufficient rainfall and continued high temperatures.