Emergency measures mobilized as drought hits multiple areas in Guangxi

Over 405,000 residents from 52 counties in Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region had been affected by drought as of Monday morning, according to the regional emergency management authority in a report by CCTV News.

These people, mainly from 11 cities including Nanning, Guilin, Chongzuo, and Hechi, have been affected, with 51,300 hectares of crops impact as of 9 am Monday, resulting in direct economic losses of 210 million yuan ($29 million), data from the regional emergency management bureau showed as reported.

Since November 2024, it has recorded an average rainfall of 110 millimeters — about 70 percent lower than the average level in the past years and the lowest since 1961, according to the regional meteorological bureau.

The meteorological drought in the region has shown a pattern of recurring intensification, said Nong Mengsong, chief forecaster at the Guangxi Meteorological Observatory in the report, adding that it began earlier this year, eased somewhat in February and March due to natural rainfall and artificial precipitation efforts, but has worsened again in April as rainfall has remained low.

According to meteorological forecasts, rainfall in Guangxi is expected to increase in late April, the report added.

Known as China's "Sugar Capital", Chongzuo city has the largest sugarcane growing area in the country, with an annual planting area exceeding 266,666 hectares. But the lingering drought has brought challenges.

Since September 2024, rainfall in the region has been little more than drizzle, too light to soak the soil or even be absorbed by the surface. As a result, sugarcane crops are struggling to sprout, with many failing to emerge, said Wu Jianming, director of the Sugarcane Research Institute at Guangxi Academy of Agricultural Sciences, as Beijing News reported.

In response, Chongzuo city has implemented various measures to contain the drought. For example, Ningming county established a government-enterprise cooperation mechanism to assist farmers in modifying water trucks. Jiangzhou district organized training sessions and coordinated water resources and subsidies for well drilling and water transportation.

Besides, Hechi city has mobilized 2.59 million yuan ($360,000) in drought relief funds and launched an extensive drought relief campaign, involving emergency water deliveries and engineering support to ensure the water supply across its 11 counties and districts, as reported by CCTV News.

So far, Hechi city has delivered 37,530 tons of water, ensuring the basic drinking water needs of over 24,000 residents.