Yuan Chongren, director of the Shandong Yellow River affairs bureau said the Xiaolangdi Reservoir on the Yellow River will increase flow volume as of Sept.25, and peaks with massive flow volume are expected to enter the Shandong section around Sept. 27, People's Daily Online reported Tuesday.

Shandong, a major agricultural province in China has been badly hit by a severe drought since this summer due to persistent hot weather and low rainfalls. The website says it is estimated that the direct economic loss to Shandong has amounted to over 10 billion Yuan as well as reduction of grain output of 4 billion kilograms, according to the report.

The central goverment of China and related state ministries showed unusual concern over the drought situation in Shandong, specially studies counter-measures and plans for water diverting after Shandong provincial government reported the issue to the State Council, asking to divert emergency water from the upper and middle reaches to assist their anti-drought fight.

According to concerning responsible officials of the Shandong Yellow River affairs bureau, the Yellow River committee has worked out a plan to divert water and help with the anti-drought fight and autumn seeding, it was reported.

The plan is consisted of five parts: to increase flow volume of Liujia Gorge Reservoir in order to divert 200 million cubic meters to Shandong from late September to October; to decrease agricultural irrigation water in Ningxia and Inter Mongolia so as to add 200 million cubic meters; to excavate the reserve capacity of Wanjiazhai Reservoir with view to diverting 100 million cubic meters to Shandong; to raise another 100 million cubic meters from Xiaolangdi Reservoir for autumn seeding, when ensuring the drinking water and the river leave in navigation; and at the same time, to reduce the flow capacity to 30 from 50 cubic meters per second at the outlet of the Yellow River.

By implementing the plan, at least 600 million cubic meters is raised with a purpose to reap the greatest benefits from the limited water in the Yellow River and give all-out support to the province's anti-drought fight and autumn seeding.

(Xinhua News Agency September 25, 2002)