Many provinces in Southern China are bracing for drought conditions to worsen. Rainfall there has dropped by 50 percent over the first four months compared to that of last year.

The middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River are seeing the least rainfall since 1961. The waterline at the main control stations of Dong-ting Lake and Poyang Lake has dropped by as much as 4 meters compared with last year.

The State Flood Control and Drought Relief Headquarters has sent relief supplies to Hunan and Hubei provinces. Rain is forecast for South China, which should help ease the situation.