Extreme weather threatens China’s food security, with forecasts of summer droughts and floods
- Government analysis says heavy rain could hit grain producers in northeast while eastern provinces may see typhoon-related disasters
- Meanwhile, southwestern regions could experience 20 to 50 per cent drop in rainfall, agencies warn
An analysis, published on the ministry’s website on Friday, predicted that northeastern and northern China, home to some of the country’s top grain-producing provinces, might experience heavy rain, floods and hailstorms from June to August.
The National Disaster Reduction Committee Office and ministries of natural resources, water resources, agriculture and rural affairs as well as the China Meteorological Administration and State Forestry and Grassland Administration also contributed to the analysis.
According to the report, there is a significant risk of flooding in the middle and lower reaches of the Yellow River, the Songliao River, the Songhua River and the Heilongjiang River, among others.
These areas include Henan, China’s largest wheat-growing province, as well as the northeastern Heilongjiang province, known as China’s “grain barn”, along with other major grain producers.