Authorities warn of drought conditions in Gansu

Gansu province issued a yellow alert on Tuesday as droughts in several counties have reached severe levels, according to the Lanzhou central meteorological observatory.

Gansu, an inland province, is a climate-sensitive and ecologically vulnerable area, with 76 percent of its region covered by arid and semiarid areas.

The weather forecast for the next seven days indicates no effective precipitation, meaning the drought will continue and worsen.

According to the Lanzhou regional climate center, Gansu experienced higher temperatures and more high-temperature days in July compared to the same period in 2022. Extreme high temperatures were observed in multiple areas in several cities in the Hexi Corridor. The province also had a greater number of dry days and some areas in the eastern part of the province experienced periodic drought.

Gansu Water Resources told China News Service on Tuesday that rainfall in Gansu this year was 20 to 30 percent lower than normal. Some rivers and reservoirs in the province are experiencing lower inflows and storage, with a 21 percent decrease in total water storage in the river basins of the inland rivers in the Hexi Corridor.

Since July, Gansu's central and western regions have experienced continuous high temperatures above 35 C. Droughts have emerged in parts of Jiuquan, Zhangye, Jinchang, Wuwei, Baiyin, and Tianshui, affecting water supply in urban and rural areas and damaging crops.

To strengthen defense against drought, the Gansu water resources department has initiated a level IV emergency response for drought in six cities. Local authorities are required to closely monitor changes in rain patterns, water levels and the development of drought conditions. Efforts will be made to ensure the safety of water supply through water resource management and emergency measures. The Gansu provincial meteorological bureau has also carried out artificial rainfall operations.