Drought hits 700,000 in northeast China

0 Comments | AFP, March, 2007

BEIJING (AFP) — Drought in northeastern China has left 700,000 people short of water and forced farmers to scramble for supplies to keep crops and livestock alive, state press reported Monday.

A 30 percent drop in normal rainfall in Liaoning province has caused wells to dry up, forcing farmers to dig deeper for water or to divert it from nearby reservoirs, Xinhua news agency reported.

The drought has been exacerbated by global warming, with the region experiencing its warmest winter in 56 years, the report said.

Temperatures have risen an average 3.4 degrees Celsius (38 Fahrenheit) over normal levels, the report said, while groundwater levels in the province's more arid west have dropped by up to 35 centimeters (14 inches) from last year.

Over one...