There may be a spring drought in the northern winter wheat region this spring

According to the meteorological and hydrological forecast and analysis, there is less precipitation in the north of China in the spring of 2015, the water from the main rivers is generally dry, and severe spring drought may occur in the winter wheat area in the north and parts of the southwest. The State General Administration of Prevention and Control requires that we should do a solid job in drought prevention, irrigation protection and water supply in urban and rural areas.

This is what the reporter learned from the national video conference on flood control and drought relief held in Beijing on the 20th.

Chen Lei, deputy commander-in-chief of the State Flood Control and drought Relief headquarters and minister of the Ministry of Water Resources, said at the meeting that it is necessary to do a good job in the analysis of water storage and soil moisture and the prediction of incoming water and drought in drought-prone areas in winter and spring, and to organize and guide relevant areas to strengthen monitoring and forecast, implement drought prevention plans, scientifically allocate water sources, strengthen the utilization of rain and flood resources, speed up the construction of water sources for drought resistance, and strengthen the management of water for drought relief. We should do a good job in emergency dispatching of water, give full play to the role of drought relief service organizations, and do a solid job in fighting drought and ensuring spring ploughing, spring irrigation, and water supply in urban and rural areas.

The reporter learned from the meeting that in 2014, China's flood control and drought relief work achieved remarkable results. 485 people died as a result of floods across the country, 66 percent less than usual, the least since the founding of the people's Republic of China. The safety of flood control was ensured, and the benefit of disaster reduction reached 37.9 billion yuan. The temporary drinking water shortage of 16.56 million people and 7.9 million head of large livestock due to drought was solved, and the loss of cash crops was reduced by 29.8 billion yuan.

It is understood that in 2015, the State General Administration of Prevention and Control will make efforts to do a good job in ice prevention in northern rivers, do a good job in drought prevention and irrigation and water supply in urban and rural areas, and do a good job in preparations before flood season to ensure the safety of river flood control. At the same time, we should give prominence to the safety of reservoirs, prevent typhoons, mountain torrents and urban waterlogging, promote the building of flood control and drought relief capacity, and strengthen the leadership of flood control and drought relief organizations.