According to the report from National Climate Centre, this summer has seen high temperature and little rain in most regions of the north of the Yangtze River. The precipitations in Henan, Shaanxi, and Hubei reach the lowest point of the last 54 years. The Yellow-Huaihe River Valley is suffering from rapidly intensifying drought.
Meteorological observation shows that since this summer (June 1st to July 28th ) the rainfall in most regions in the north of the Yangtze River has been relatively low, decreasing by more than 20% in most of Yellow-Huaihe River Valley i, east of northern China, south central Shaanxi, east of Gansu, and most of Hubei. The percentage increased to more than 50% in the greater part of Henan. The average precipitation of Henan was 96mm, which was 60% less than it was in the usual years, claiming the least of historical average since 1961. Meanwhile, there was an increase of high temperature days in northern China, which are more than 12 days in southeast Shaanxi and northwest Henan. This has been 5 days more, compared with usual years. High temperature and little rainfall has intensifed the meteorological drought, thus enlarged the drought area.
The drought in northern China has been aggravating fast with a more and more enlarging drought area. The national meteorological drought monitoring chart indicates that Henan, southern Shaanxi, central Hubei, east of north China, northeast of Sichuan, and Yili river valley met medium or serious drought, while central and eastern Henan suffers an especially serious one. On July 27, the drought worsened in central and west of the Yellow-Huaihe River Valley, eastern of northwest China, east and north of north China, compared to that on July 21. Because of this year’s No.10 typhoon Matmo, the drought in east of the Yellow-Huaihe River Valley, Shandong Peninsular has abated.
Meteorologists suggest that relevant departments be ready for the emergency work brought by the increase of electricity and water requirement due to this continuous heat. Epidemic prevention department should pay attention to the emergency treatment on hyperthermia and complication of that, as high temperature will lead to the weakening of immune defense and the occurrence of sunstroke. Heat and less rain are also a cause of forest fire, which requires the high temperature regions to put emphasis on precaution.
Editor Zhang Chi