Nary a Drop in Sight
In addition to everyone’s finances drying up, state media reports that the capital is now in the midst of the longest drought in almost 40 years. Since last October 26, barely a drop of precipitation – save for one measly snow flurry – has been seen in Beijing proper, which averages out to a throat parching 1.1 milliliters during this period (1970-71 saw an average of just 0.6 milliliters of precipitation fall during the same few months).
2008 marked the eighth consecutive year of drought in Beijing, and things are even worse in the surrounding provinces, with at least 9.53 million hectares of farmland affected. Conditions are particularly bad in the wheat producing regions of Henan and Anhui, with severe water shortages in Shanxi, Sha’anxi and other northern and western provinces as well.
Beijing city officials are considering cloud seeding measures yet again and the distinct lack of snow of this waning winter has led health officials to issue public warnings of nasty epidemics of colds and flu as the seasons change. To make matters worse, Bloomberg cites the president of the Hong Kong Veterinary Association’s dire concern that shrinking water supplies caused by the drought may be making birds more susceptible to avian flu. What the city really needs are a few giant snow blowers.
Rain or no rain, spring has officially sprung this week with the passing of “li chun” (立春), the official end of winter. The week has indeed been marked by a rise in temperatures (average highs over the past few days have hovered around 7°C) and Beijingers lining up to buy chun bing – lit. “Spring pancakes” – which are stuffed with an assortment of stir fried veggies, eggs, leeks and meat.
As things usually go this time of year, we can expect periodic intervals of warmer weather mixed with blasts of cold air over the next few weeks – but no rain in sight for the next ten days ...
Related Links
hellobj.com: Houhai ice is getting too thin to skate on winter China Heritage Quarterly: The Heritage of Beijing Water
Comments
New comments are displayed first.Comments
Jerry
Submitted by Guest on Thu, 02/12/2009 - 16:43 Permalink
Re: Nary a Drop in Sight
Once again proving the "raining after you wash your car" maxim, only this time it's applied to print!
Paulus
Submitted by Guest on Thu, 02/12/2009 - 15:21 Permalink
Re: Nary a Drop in Sight
it finally rained!
Nidaye
Submitted by Guest on Mon, 02/09/2009 - 10:19 Permalink
Re: Nary a Drop in Sight
I'm glad to see this topic brought up here. It seems that many locals aren't really concerned about the drought/water shortage. In fact, some people I've talked to have asked me "what water shortage?". This lack of concern is reflected in the many new apartment complexes with huge artificial lakes ("seas") to faulty toilets/taps that leak water continuously.
The only people I know who conserve water do so to save money. Though not exactly for the "right" reasons, their actions should set an example for the rest of us.
smstein
Submitted by Guest on Mon, 02/09/2009 - 01:09 Permalink
Re: Nary a Drop in Sight
It was a very good, informative article, Jerry. The distinction between "snow blower" and "snow maker" is a very minor one. I enjoyed the article very much.
Scott
Jerry
Submitted by Guest on Sat, 02/07/2009 - 10:31 Permalink
Re: Nary a Drop in Sight
Thanks for pointing that out, David.
davidwppl
Submitted by Guest on Sat, 02/07/2009 - 10:25 Permalink
Re: Nary a Drop in Sight
Please note that the correct term is "snow makers". The article stated what we need are a few giant "snow blowers". Snow blowers are used to clear snow off of a driveway or street. Since there is no snow here, and you want snow, you need a few giant "snow makers"... Like they have at the Ping Gu ski area.
In addition to everyone’s finances drying up, state media reports that the capital is now in the midst of the longest drought in almost 40 years. Since last October 26, barely a drop of precipitation – save for one measly snow flurry – has been seen in Beijing proper, which averages out to a throat parching 1.1 milliliters during this period (1970-71 saw an average of just 0.6 milliliters of precipitation fall during the same few months).
2008 marked the eighth consecutive year of drought in Beijing, and things are even worse in the surrounding provinces, with at least 9.53 million hectares of farmland affected. Conditions are particularly bad in the wheat producing regions of Henan and Anhui, with severe water shortages in Shanxi, Sha’anxi and other northern and western provinces as well.
Beijing city officials are considering cloud seeding measures yet again and the distinct lack of snow of this waning winter has led health officials to issue public warnings of nasty epidemics of colds and flu as the seasons change. To make matters worse, Bloomberg cites the president of the Hong Kong Veterinary Association’s dire concern that shrinking water supplies caused by the drought may be making birds more susceptible to avian flu. What the city really needs are a few giant snow blowers.
Rain or no rain, spring has officially sprung this week with the passing of “li chun” (立春), the official end of winter. The week has indeed been marked by a rise in temperatures (average highs over the past few days have hovered around 7°C) and Beijingers lining up to buy chun bing – lit. “Spring pancakes” – which are stuffed with an assortment of stir fried veggies, eggs, leeks and meat.
As things usually go this time of year, we can expect periodic intervals of warmer weather mixed with blasts of cold air over the next few weeks – but no rain in sight for the next ten days ...
Related Links
hellobj.com: Houhai ice is getting too thin to skate on winter China Heritage Quarterly: The Heritage of Beijing Water
Validate your mobile phone number to post comments.