Recent rains have almost broken China's nationwide drought, enabling summer sowing and planting to be carried out, according to the State Flood Control and Drought Relief Headquarters.

Statistics released by the headquarters show that by June 30, China's drought-affected farmland had fallen from 22.533 million hectares (55.679 million acres) in February to 1.087 million hectares (2.686 million acres).

However, 1.18 million people and 1.21 million head of livestock, mainly in Hebei, Heilongjiang, Fujian, Yunnan provinces as well as in Inner Mongolia and Xinjiang, are still short of drinking water.

Since early June, most areas in China have received high rainfall, relieving the severe drought in its northeast, north and northwest as well as in the valleys of the Yangtze, Yellow and Huaihe rivers.

Headquarters sources said that following two consecutive years of drought, most areas in China had a dry spring due to the warm winter.

The widespread drought absorbed moisture from the soil and lowered the water levels in China's major rivers and the underground water tables in some areas.

Statistics issued by the headquarters showed that 15.9 million rural people and 15.23 million head of livestock throughout the country were short of drinking water in mid February, while some cities in over 20 provinces, autonomous regions and municipalities were short of water.

(Xinhua News Agency July 2, 2002)