Heavy rains could alleviate heatwave, drought ( 2003-07-30 07:08) (China Daily)
Residents of North and Northeast China, where warm currents of air have sent
temperatures soaring, are expected to feel relieved following the forecast of
heavy rain, expected within the next two or three days.
Beijing residents enjoy themselves in a
swimming pool July 29, 2003. Beijing is experiencing its hottest summer
days so far this year. [Reuters]
But high
temperatures and drought will continue to plague people living in the middle and
lower reaches of the Yangtze River, South China and the Huaihe and Yellow river
valleys.
Drought conditions have worsened in many regions of South China
after consecutive days of searing heat, and the State Meteorological Observatory
announced the temperatures will remain high with average temperatures of above
35-38 C and a peak of 39-43 C in some areas.
Central China's Hunan
Province and East China's Zhejiang Province are two regions badly stricken by
prolonged drought.
In Huanan, water shortages have worsened in some
counties as drinking water for humans and cattle can only be stored for about 20
days. In other counties, people and livestock have also suffered from a lack of
water.
In East China's Zhejiang Province,high temperatures have persisted
for nearly a month and have caused drought across the region. Forest fires
caused by the drought conditions have also killed two
villagers.
Statistics from the provincial government indicated that the
current drought is the worst on record for the last 10 years.
About 1.29
million people in Zhejiang are suffering from water shortages and about 200,000
hectares of crops have been damaged by the drought.
In South China's
Guangdong Province, the Guangzhou Meteorological Observatory yesterday formally
issued a code red heat warning, urging local residents and tourists to take
measures to prevent heatstroke.
It was the first time a heat warning
signal was issued in Guangdong's provincial capital.
As of yesterday, the
Guangzhou Meteorological Observatory will issue the red heat warning when the
mercury climbs beyond 35 C.
Affected by a subtropical cyclone, the hot
weather in Guangzhou will last for at least a couple of weeks, with its daily
highest temperature predicted to reach 36 C, the official
said.
