China's capital city and surrounding provinces are parched. It hasn’t rained in more than three months – the longest period without precipitation in 40 years – and now scores of millions of people in northern China are facing severe drinking water shortages because of the worst drought in the area in decades.
Water supplies in Beijing have not been affected because rivers and streams in surrounding areas have been redirected to the capital, although about 90 per cent of winter wheat seedlings have failed so more trouble will follow.
The drought is particularly acute in China’s key wheat-growing province of Shandong, which is facing its worst drought in at least 40 years, putting further pressure on politically sensitive but rising food prices.
Drought in northern China is a long-term problem. Authorities have struggled for years to combat a water shortage brought on by global warming, drought and surging consumption, especially among the tens of millions who live in Beijing and booming adjacent areas.
Hundreds of millions of Chinese rely on farming to make a living. Good harvests are crucial to keeping meat, grains and vegetables affordable for the vast majority of lower-class Chinese, who spend one-third or more of their income on food.
In Shandong, there has been no rain for four months. Fire engines have been bringing water to 240,000 people and 107,000 livestock. Northern provinces Shanxi and Hebei have also had lower than average rainfall, while the central province of Henan is facing drought.
Beijing is always dry at this time of year, but there is no rain to relieve the capital. Moreover, the unseasonably dry weather and higher-than-average temperatures are forecast well into spring.
Scientists say it is a result of the La Niña effect that is also responsible for the harsh winter gripping large parts of China’s south.
Rising food prices sent the inflation rate to 4.6 per cent in December after hitting a 28- month high of 5.1 per cent the month before. That put inflation for the year at 3.3 per cent, while the economy notched up 10.3 per cent growth.
Prime minister Wen Jiabao drew attention to the potential drought disaster with a weekend visit to Henan, where he called on officials to make greater efforts to assist farmers.
In broader economic terms, interest rates are likely to rise to cool price pressures, which could hit consumption and slow global growth.
