Worst drought in 50 years gives way to floods over the weekend
The amount of drought-afflicted farmland along the river has fallen by more than 1.46 million hectares, or nearly 40 per cent, and the number of residents whose drinking water has been affected had fallen by 44 per cent.
Big lakes along the Yangtze River, like Lake Poyang and Lake Hong, which saw their water levels drop last month to the lowest points in nearly six decades, were boosted after the rains.
CMA head Zheng Guonguang told China National Radio that rains will continue until mid-June, ending the drought in many regions.
Official sources report however that damages from the worst drought in half a century (little or no rain since October) remain severe and that crop shortages are very likely.
On the other hand, torrential rains have caused floods in several cities in the central province of Hunan, where at least 600,000 people have been affected; 45,000 have been moved out early this morning.
Sine 3 June, floods have affected hundreds of cities, wiped out roads and bridges, and swept cars away.
Guizhou is the worst hit area with nearly 71,200 of its residents affected by floods over the weekend. At least 14 people have died and 35 are missing.
In Wangmo County, the level of the Wangmo River rose three metres above the safe level, causing massive flooding. Houses and fields have been destroyed, power has been cut and traffic halted. More than 45,000 people have been evacuated.
In Hunan, flooding has been reported in 103 of the province's cities since Saturday morning. In Fenghuang County, Hunan, 276mm of rainfall was recorded over three days.
More than 200mm fell in many areas to the south of the Yangtze's lower and middle reaches.
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10/05/2005
