Southern China's rainfall to weaken over the coming week, favoring the wrap-up of autumn harvest and autumn-winter planting

Since November 4, 2015, most of southern China has experienced frequent overcast and rainy weather, with 9-14 rain days; cumulative precipitation in eastern and southern Jiangnan, western and northern South China and other areas has been 1-4 times more than the same period in normal years, and southern Hunan and Jiangxi, northern Guangxi and other areas have seen heavy to torrential rain for 3-4 days, with precipitation more than 4 times above normal. The markedly excessive rainfall has had a certain impact on the harvest of late rice, corn and other autumn-harvest crops, and on rapeseed transplanting, with Guangxi's autumn harvest and autumn planting progress notably slow. According to agricultural department statistics, as of November 12, 63.1% of Guangxi's late rice had been harvested, 11.1% slower than the same period last year, and corn was 17.6% slower year on year; the region's winter-planted crop area was 3.9% slower year on year.

At present, the late rice harvest in southeastern Jiangnan and northern South China is entering its final stage, while late rice in southern South China is at the late milky stage to maturity stage; rapeseed in Jiangnan is at the fifth true-leaf to transplanting survival stage.

It is expected that over the coming week, rainfall intensity in Jiangnan and South China will weaken compared with the earlier period, with mainly overcast and light rain weather. All areas should seize the intervals between rainfall to rush the harvest and drying of late rice, corn and other crops, do a good job of wrapping up the autumn harvest, ensure every grain is brought in, and prevent grain from sprouting and becoming moldy; at the same time, do a good job of rapeseed transplanting and the sowing of vegetables, potatoes and other autumn-winter crops.