Southern China is expected to experience high temperatures and
below-average rainfall in July which will worsen the problem of
blue-green algae in its water resources, a senior meteorological
official warned on Monday.
High temperature and little rain were the major factors behind
the recent outbreak of blue-green algae at Taihu Lake, though there
were multiples reasons for the outbreak, said Song Lianchun, from
the China Meteorological Administration, at a press conference held
in Beijing.
Since May, blue-green algae outbreaks have been reported in
eastern Taihu Lake, Chaohu Lake and southwestern Dianchi Lake, and
have threatened the local tap water supply.
The temperature will be about one degree Celsius higher than
average in southeast China, the eastern region of northeast China
and on the Tibetan Plateau, according to Song.
(Xinhua News Agency July 3, 2007)