A top official from the China Meteorological Administration is calling for early preparations for a difficult summer season with severe flooding and drought.
During a nationally televised conference on climate forecasting Monday, the head of China's weather service, Qin Dahe, said the country "may face a grim situation with seasonal floods and drought this year with potential damage worse than last year."
Qin said two massive rain belts are predicted for the months of June to August that will impact the area between the Yangtze River and the mid- to upper reaches of the Yellow River.
The rain belt may linger over the Yunnan-Guizhou Plateau in southern China, with potential flooding likely to hit areas between the Huaihe and Yangtze rivers, and regions south of the Yangtze in its middle and lower reaches.
Qin also warned that prolonged drought may be felt in the rest of the country, with less rainfall expected in many areas. China's top weatherman said northeastern Sichuan and western parts of Tibet, as well as parts of southern Guangdong and Hainan provinces, are suffering the worst drought in 50 years.
