China: Perfect storm of problems leaves many short of water nationwide

BEIJING, Dec. 20 (Xinhua) — China is no stranger to drought, having experienced severe water shortages hundreds of times during the past two millennia. Despite the country’s long experience with drought, however, it is ill-prepared to cope with the current dry spell, one of the worst in decades.

The drought itself, which is affecting even tropical southern regions, is a climactic phenomenon. But its effects are being exacerbated by poor infrastructure, a lack of comprehensive relief plans, river diversion, and increasing water demand from an expanding population and growing industrial economy. Public awareness of the scope of the problem is also low.


Drought Is Quickly Spreading to More Areas

Residents around Poyang Lake in eastern China’s Jiangxi Province were astonished in early December to see the country’s largest freshwater lake almost literally drying up before their eyes.

The lake, which covered an area of 300-500 square kilometers last winter, has shrunk to less than 50 sq km, the smallest since hydrological records began to be kept. More than 100,000 residents of the Poyang region are suffering drinking water shortages.

“I have not seen such a severe drought since I was born,” said one 60-year-old, whose family lived by the lake for generations.

Xinhua