Chongqing: China has said that it will try to save crops from severe drought by making (artificial) rain through chemicals. Meanwhile, factories on Sunday waited to see if they would have to shut down their operations for another week due to the paucity of water to generate hydroelectric power.
In the last 61 years, this time due to the scorching heat, the crops have withered and the water in the reservoirs has come down to half. In Sichuan province, factories were closed last week to save water for households, as demand for air-conditioning increased with the mercury reaching 45 degrees centigrade.
The record was broken due to scorching heat
Record keeping of rainfall and temperature was started in the country 61 years ago. According to the newspaper Global Times, Agriculture Minister Tang Renjian said that the next 10 days are a “critical period to prevent damage” to the paddy crop in southern China. He said the administration would take emergency steps “to ensure harvesting in autumn”.
Artificial clouds will be created
Tang’s ministry said on its website that the administration would “attempt to increase rain” by creating clouds with chemicals and spraying “water-saving agents” on standing crops to reduce transpiration.
These circumstances have added to the challenges for the ruling Communist Party, which is trying to revive sluggish economic growth ahead of its meeting in October or November. In that meeting, President Xi Jinping is likely to exercise for his third term.
