Showers ease drought
(Shenzhen Daily)
Updated: 2005-03-03 09:54

Recent rains in Guangzhou had greatly eased a drought that has been plaguing the city for months, the Southern Metropolitan News reported.

Downtown areas in Guangzhou recorded 27.9 millimeters of rain Tuesday, the highest this year. An average of 20 millimeters was recorded Sunday and Monday.

Hail fell in Panyu District at midnight Monday but no damage was reported.

The rains brought relief to more than 133,000 hectares of parched farmland that has endured drought for the past three seasons.

It had been the most serious drought since 1991. There was no rain in October last year and the water resources department had to clear river channels and dig wells to find water.

The rains also helped replenish the city's reservoirs.

Most reservoir levels had returned to normal with some nearing flood levels.

The water level in the Huanglongdai Reservoir rose to more than 161 meters, only about 13 meters short of flood level.

The continuous rains also helped ease the drought in northern Guangdong but some areas in the south still had to rely on artificial rain. Experts suggested areas suffering severe drought take advantage of the present weather to produce more artificial rain.

Meanwhile, a strong cold front began to affect Guangdong on Wednesday, bringing more rain and lower temperatures.

The lowest temperature for Thursday morning would range from zero degrees Celsius in the north to 8 degrees in the south.

Strong gales would also hit coastal areas, the provincial observatory said.

The minimum temperature in Guangzhou will fall to 4 degrees Friday or Saturday.

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