Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao urged local governments and central
government departments on Tuesday to go all out to secure water
supplies for people and cattle in regions suffering from severe
drought.
In droughts-hit areas irrigation facilities should be brought
into full play, said the premier, who is also member of the
Standing Committee of Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee Political Bureau.
He called on efficient use of water in a scientific way and
providing more services for farmers in the anti-drought drive.
People should try hard to minimize losses caused by the current
droughts in some northern, southwestern and southern areas, he
said.
According to official figures, since April lingering droughts
have affected a total of 17.6 million hectares of farmland across
the country, up 21 percent compared with the figure for the same
period of last year.
Vice Premier Hui Liangyu has urged local governments and
central departments to seriously implement the instruction of the
premier.
(Xinhua News Agency August 10, 2006)