中国北方九省市遭遇冬旱

While Southern China has been suffering freezing rain and heavy snow,it is a different story in the north of the country. Beijing, Shandong and Henan have been among the areas hit by severe drought this winter.

Figures from the US National Climate Center indicate the global temperatures in 2010 was 0.6 degrees Celsius higher than the average temperature for the 20th century. Climate experts say global warming may provoke more frequent extreme weather conditions such as drought.

According to official figures, it is now 82 days since Beijing saw a drop of rain. The majority of its areas are now suffering a winter drought.

The situation is worse in Shandong. The lack of rain has caused the worst drought in more than half a century,affecting more than twenty seven million hectares of wheat,over half of the entire planting area. The provincial government has already pledged three million dollars worth of disaster relief funds.

In Henan Province,an equivalent to thirty two million US dollar fund has been allocated to fight the effects of the drought.The province produces a quarter of China's wheat,but has had the least rainfall since 1961, a massive eighty-six percent less than fell last year.

Further cold fronts are forecast across China in the next few days, meaning the dry conditions in the north are set to continue.