Water shortages reach crisis levels in China

[cory777]

Source: CNN

Beijing, China (CNN) -- China can't dam or divert water quickly enough to keep up with its thirsty population, and the shortage has reached crisis levels in Beijing and other areas.

In northern China this month, farm fields have developed cracks up to 10 meters (32.8 feet) deep. Farmers in Chifeng city have had to delay harvests to avoid injury, the state-run Xinhua news agency reported. According to the Chifeng's hydrological bureau, 62 percent of the city's 51 reservoirs have run dry, Xinhua said. More than 250,000 people are short on drinking water.

In southwest China's Guizhou province in August, a drought affected more than 600,000 people and nearly 250,000 heads of livestock, according to Xihua. Parched soil in rice fields was covered with cracks.

Beijing's water shortage will soon reach 200 million to 300 million cubic meters, even as the city waits for a new diversion of water from southern China, according to state-run media.

Read more: http://edition.cnn.com/2010/WORLD/asiapcf/09/13/china.water.crisis/index.html?eref=edition_asia&utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+rss%2Fedition_asia+%28RSS%3A+Asia%29#fbid=QxNYXIim36J&wom=false

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[madrchsod]

1. looks like the wars over water will start sooner than i thought

i wonder who`s side we will be on...

[Loudmxr]

2. You could have fooled me in Shanghai a few weeks ago.

Rain rain rain. There was no Irish at the Irish Pavilion either because of too much rain or they were too outspoken and the Chinese deported them all. Now that's a rain.

Of course me and my honey..,we are Californians .... we bought umbrellas at the Expo. Because we didn't bring the umbrellas we already bought every place else we go. We are Californians we know its going to rain but we never prepare. Kinda like earthquakes.

China needs to learn, as we must in So Cal, not to let the water that falls from the sky run to the sea.

[raccoon]

3. I sure hope they don't invade the Great Lakes area.

That's the kind of thing the Chinese version of Cheney and other neocons would think of....

:silly: because that would be impractical.

[JustABozoOnThisBus]

4. Yeah, it's impractical, but ..

.. I bet they have an eye on Lake Baikal (a much closer great fresh water lake).

:hi:

[raccoon]

5. Just looked at the map. I see what you mean. nt

[Ghost Dog]

6. Uh oh; Americans looking at maps. A sure sign of trouble to come.

(Just a joke, sorry. Couldn't resist :) ).

Actually, Chinese are more likely to continue expanding 'eco- and geo-engineering'-type projects such as reforestation. Eg:

China allocates 22 bln yuan for reforestation
11:09, June 23, 2010

China has allocated about 22.4 billion yuan to reinforce achievements of the reforestation program since its implementation in 2007, which has generated considerable economic and ecological benefits, Xinhua News Agency reported yesterday.

...

According to the survey conducted by departments in charge, the GDP of 372 surveyed counties totaled 2.7 trillion yuan in 2009, representing a 15 percent year-on-year growth, much higher than the national average level.

The reforestation program also achieved massive complementary planting and reforestation, which have effectively increased the coverage of woods and grasslands and enhanced ecological functions in program areas.

/... http://english.peopledaily.com.cn/90001/90776/90882/7036654.html

[JustABozoOnThisBus]

7. I have to look at maps

I don't live in Alaska, where ya can see Russia and maybe Mongolia from the back porch.

I have to get my knowledge of international affairs the old fashioned way: in DU Latest Breaking News.

:hi: