China working to protect autumn crop from heat, drought as temperatures soar
Beijing, Aug 24 (EFE).- China’s meteorological center on Wednesday extended orange alerts for soaring temperatures in 12 provinces a day after government departments issued an urgent notice warning of the impact of the extended heat wave on autumnal harvests.
Temperatures in four provinces, Sichuan, Chongqing, Jiangxi, and Fujian, could surpass 40C (104F) on Wednesday, the meteorological department said as cited by state news agency Xinhua.
On Tuesday, government offices including the agriculture ministry and water resources ministry, sounded the alarm over the effect of extended high temperatures on crop production, urging officials to adopt timely measures to reduce the impact.
August is a key month for the cultivation of soybeans and corn in China.
“More efforts should be made to ensure adequate irrigation water, open up new water sources, stagger rotation irrigation, and produce artificial rainfall when necessary,” a statement from the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs website, attributed to Xinhua, read.
Rainfall in the Yangtze river basin has reached its lowest levels since 1961, with a 40% drop compared to last year, the water resources ministry has said.
The Yangtze, the world’s third-longest river has receded in places, revealing the river bed.
“More efforts should be made to ensure adequate irrigation water, open up new water sources, stagger rotation irrigation, and produce artificial rainfall when necessary,” the statement added.
In recent weeks, provinces reliant on hydroelectric power such as Sichuan have restricted energy use for some industries. In the city of Chongqing, where temperatures could top 42C Wednesday, limits have been placed on public lighting.
The receding waters of the Yangtze near Chongqing have a revealed 600-year-old Buddhist sculpture that was once covered by the flowing water.
The soaring temperatures are due to last until at least August 26. EFE
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