The Chinese government has allocated another 20 million yuan
(US$2.5 million) to fight the drought in southwest China's Chongqing municipality.
The worst drought in a century has caused losses of 6.5 billion
yuan (US$816 million) in the municipality, said E Jingping, head of
the State Flood control and Drought Relief Headquarters.
The central and municipal governments had spent 223 million yuan
(US$27.8 million) on measures to alleviate the drought, said the
municipality's Vice Mayor Chen Guangguo.
Chongqing normally suffered drought in July and August, but the
dry season started up to 15 days earlier this year, said E.
The two-month drought has affected 19.72 million mu (1.31
million hectares) or 97 percent of Chongqing's cropland. About
24percent, or 4.8 million mu (320,000 hectares), saw no harvests
due to the drought.
Chongqing declared an emergency and launched an emergency plan
on August 9. Measures have been taken to ensure drinkable
water.
The disaster caused no deaths of people or livestock, said
E.
Temperatures up to 40 degrees Celsius are still scorching the
area. Meteorological departments forecast high temperatures and
drought will continue in the east of southwest China for the rest
of the week.
The State Flood Control and Drought Relief Headquarters asked
the local government to prepare for a long-term campaign against
drought and provide welfare support for affected people this winter
and next spring.
(Xinhua News Agency September 1, 2006)