The Chinese history is a history of battling with water, especially the battle to tame the fierce Yellow River. Hundreds of thousands (if not millions) of people would perish each time when the angry river overflowed, destroying vast area of crops. In recent years, the damning flood has apparently been contained, only to be replaced by acute droughts.

Tangible efforts are being made to bring in water from the main rivers and create artificial rains. Though the result appears to be encouraging, it is at best only a stop-gap measure – the root of the problem has not been solved.

China ought to make every attempt to curb its emission of green-house gases. Unpredictable weather (extreme droughts and unusual heavy rainfall) could well be the result of global warming.

The current exceptional dry season is serving a strong warning. Start now, do not procrastinate. It is better LATE than NEVER.
(Tan Boon Tee)