Drought in south China causes great losses (Xinhua) Updated: 2004-11-12 22:25
A prolonged drought has ravagedsouth China region, causing a drinking water
shortage and enormous economic losses, said Wang Shucheng, minister of the
WaterResources Ministry.
According to statistics from the State
Flood Control andDrought Relief Headquarters (SFDH), the ongoing dry spell
hasdamaged about 3.6 million hectares farmland in south China,threatening 7.1
million people and 3.99 million livestock withshortages of drinking
water.
The Guangxi Autonomous Region and Guangdong and Hainanprovinces
have already taken measures to limit water supplies toconserve water, officials
said.
Guangxi estimates 510,000 tons reduction of grain output,
withnearly 2.1 billion yuan (254 million US dollars) directagricultural loss.
Jiangxi Province has 20,000 hectares ofaquafarm hit by the drought, losing 450
million yuan (54 millionUS dollars) in that sector.
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