December 2011 – Droughts are not just affecting food production but river transportation and setting record low water levels in different parts of China …

900 Over Ships Stranded

Shipping traffic is paralyzed along Xijiang and Xiangjiang rivers in south China as drought continues and the authorities keep water in Changzhou Reservoir to preserve drinking water for the region’s households. As of December 18, 2011, more than 900 vessels remained stuck on a section of the Xijiang River that runs through the city of Wuzhou. Lack of rain decreased the river’s runoff by more than 30 percent. For the full story … click here

Record Low Water Levels

The Yangtze River is also seeing record low water levels due to drought in the section of China’s Hunan Province as of December 16, 2011. Water levels have dropped to 24.77 meters, lower than the historic record of 24. 80. Pictures can be found here.