Rain, irrigation reduce drought-affected areas

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Source: CCTV.com | 02-10-2009 09:00

An increase in irrigation and rainfall has helped ease the drought sweeping through many parts of China. This has led to a drop in drought-affected arable land.

An increase in irrigation and rainfall has helped ease the  drought sweeping through many parts of China.

Some drought-hit areas enjoyed long-awaited rain over the weekend. Authorities in Henan, Anhui and Shanxi provinces have created artificial rain to alleviate the dry conditions.

The Office of State Flood Control and Drought Relief Headquarters, says the acreage of drought-hit cropland has been reduced by 1.67 million hectares, down from the peak of 20 million hectares affected on Saturday. The central government has decided to earmark 400 million yuan in drought relief for local governments.

Editor:Zhang Ning