Record low water levels are creating water shortages for both rural and urban areas in eastern China.

The latest satellite data shows a dried-up Huai River. A major lack of rain has led to severe drought which has reduced the important waterway to one-sixth of its normal size. In Anhui Province, the water level of Chaohu lake,the country's fourth largest freshwater lake,barely reached 12.14 meters, which is nearing what is referred to as the "dead level". According to the weather officials,local rainfall since March has been around 50 percent less than normal.

Bridges on Chaohu lake are standing in mud instead of water. Vessels are stuck and fishermen are gone.

Wang Yaowu, Local River Administration Official, said, "Chaohu lake is experiencing its lowest levels in a decade. We are going to face major difficulties in battling the drought and keeping the water quality if there is no rainfall in the coming days."

In Xuyi county of Jiangsu province, water has become a precious commodity. The water supply to local households is being strictly controlled with a limit of 6 hours supply per day. Severe drought has also contributed to minor inflation for consumer goods such as vegetables.

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