Dam fallout? S China faces worst drought in 60 years, 35m hit
Read More:Three Gorges Dam|Southern China Drought
BEIJING: The Chinese government is trying to convince its people that the Three Gorges Dam, the world's largest hydroelectric project, is not responsible for the worst drought in six decades being experienced by southern China.
The severe drought in what is known as China's land of fish and rice has affected 35 million people. At least four million people are suffering from serious shortage of drinking water. "The drought would have been more severe without the dam," Liu Xuefeng, an official at the State Flood Control and Drought Relief Headquarters, told the local media.
It has also stepped up production on cloud bursting rockets used for causing artificial rain in the hope of tackling at least the problem of drinking water scarcity. But cloud seeding technique, which helpedChina keep its promise of ensuring a blue sky during the Olympic Games in 2008, is proving inadequate in the battle against the drought.
The government is now trying to talk down prices saying there is enough in the granary to meet the country's requirements and no food shortages are expected. The six drought-hit provinces in South China account for 27% of the country's grain output, official sources said.
The severe drought in what is known as China's land of fish and rice has affected 35 million people. At least four million people are suffering from serious shortage of drinking water. "The drought would have been more severe without the dam," Liu Xuefeng, an official at the State Flood Control and Drought Relief Headquarters, told the local media.
It has also stepped up production on cloud bursting rockets used for causing artificial rain in the hope of tackling at least the problem of drinking water scarcity. But cloud seeding technique, which helpedChina keep its promise of ensuring a blue sky during the Olympic Games in 2008, is proving inadequate in the battle against the drought.
The government is now trying to talk down prices saying there is enough in the granary to meet the country's requirements and no food shortages are expected. The six drought-hit provinces in South China account for 27% of the country's grain output, official sources said.
(source:http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/china/Dam-fallout-S-China-faces-worst-drought-in-60)
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