Henan Faces Worst Drought in 63 years
Published on by Water Network Research, Official research team of The Water Network in Social
China'sHenanHit byWorst Drought in 63 years
The high temperatures continued on Saturday in many parts of China. Weeks of drought have already brought water shortages and caused major damage to agriculture in some of the country's major farming provinces.
The central province of Henan and northwestern province of Shaanxi have been the worst-hit, with Henan experiencing its worst drought and lowest rainfall in 63 years. Over 240,000 people in Henan are suffering water shortages, and over a million hectares of crops are said to be dying.
People from some villages say they've had little water for the last 3 months. Sichuan in southwest China, Guangxi in South China, and Fujian in East China are also suffering from drought, and seeing regular temperatures above 37 degrees Celsius.
Pingdingshan city in Henan province has a serious drought problem, it's the most severe since 1975.
For Hongshiya village, 236 households and thousands of livestock are struggling with everyday existence. The village's only water cellar, their only source of drinking water has been reduced to a dry well. Everyone had to rely on one spring.
"We spent days and nights looking for water. But this is a mountainous area which makes it harder. Younger people have started going away to other places, leaving us, the old and kids. It's really hard," said a farmer Wang Zhen.
Acute water shortages prompted the local government to truck water into the village from a nearby river—but it's supply sufficient only to quench their thrist. The dry spell has taken a toll on crops and livestock, with farmers getting desperate to save what is left for their livelihood.
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