Severe drought is affecting agricultural production in East China's Shandong province. Our reporter Shen Le went down to a parched village near Rizhao city to find out more about how people there are coping with the dry spell.

Growing wheat is the main livelihood for people living in Qianshanqian village.

Li Qiyun is a local farmer, he has come to the field to examine his wheat.

He tells me the drought is unprecedented.

Farmer Li yiyun said, “It hasn't rained at all since last September. It's the worst drought in perhaps one hundred years. Everything has dried up.”

I ask him what will happen to his crops if the drought persists.

“I dare not think about that. We are running out of reserves. What we need are more water sources.” Li told us.

To make sure farmers like Mr. Li have enough water to irrigate the crops. Local authorities are building big wells to extract surface water.

Each of these wells is at least 20 meters wide and 10 meters deep. They are constructed on lower terrain so it's easier to conserve the water.

Li Yekun, Village Official, said, “Each well provides more than enough to water some 30 hectares of fields. The government pays for the construction and villagers provide labor. This way we can build more quickly. ”

Eleven wells are already in operation and more are still being built. And that for the villagers, means they will have adequate water for the coming planting season in spring.

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