Severe drought hits autumn grain crops in multiple regions; Ministry of Agriculture demands efforts to ensure stable yields and a bumper harvest

In recent days, 12 provinces in China including Henan, Shaanxi, Inner Mongolia, Shanxi and Xinjiang have been hit by severe drought. The spreading drought has dried up reservoirs and river channels, made drinking water scarce for people and livestock, and may leave autumn grain crops in some areas facing total crop failure. During a recent trip to Henan to inspect the drought, Minister of Agriculture Han Changfu demanded that agricultural departments at all levels pay close attention to changes in the drought, fully promote disaster relief work in drought-affected areas, and strive to ensure stable yields and a bumper harvest of autumn grain this year. The photo shows the Zhifang Reservoir in Dengfeng, Henan Province, dried up and exposing its bottom after the most severe drought in 63 years.