The drought in the Yangtze River valley is expected to continue in the coming days, according to China’s Ministry of Water Resources. Since July, most parts of the river basin have seen high temperatures and severe drought, with rainfall dropping 4.5 per cent compared to the same period last year. Last week, the Chinese regime issued its first national drought alert of the year. On Sunday, China’s Central Meteorological Center issued more red alerts for high temperatures, the 10th consecutive day it has issued the red alert. It said at least 17 provinces and regions could see temperatures run as high as 35 to 39 degrees Celsius. In some regions it could go beyond 40 degrees. The high temperatures could abate from August 26. High temperatures in July alone caused direct economic losses of 2.73 billion yuan ($400 million), affecting 5.5 million people, Reuters reported, quoting government data. Nearly 22,000 square kilometres of arable land has been affected by drought in nine provinces and municipalities, including Sichuan, Chongqing, Hubei, Hunan, Anhui and Jiangxi. Water supply for 2.46 million people and 350,000 livestock has been affected, as per state broadcaster CCTV.
