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🇸🇬 Singapore /Environment & Climate

China warns of crop risks as heat sweeps agricultural regions; South Korea sees record temperatures, southern China faces floods

From The Straits Times · () English

Translated from English, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Documents & data Context piece
  • China's key agricultural regions face heightened crop damage risks due to an ongoing heat wave.
  • High temperatures and humidity threaten corn, rice, and cotton yields in northern and eastern provinces, with some areas expecting highs up to 50°C.
  • South Korea also experienced record temperatures, while China's southern provinces face flood risks from heavy rains.

China's vital agricultural sector is under threat as a severe heat wave grips key northern and eastern regions, raising concerns about crop damage in the coming days. High-pressure weather systems are driving hotter-than-normal conditions this week, with cities like Shenyang expected to reach highs of 35-38 degrees Celsius through August 6.

Shandong province, a major corn producer, has warned that sustained mid- to high-30s Celsius temperatures through at least August 5 could significantly reduce summer corn yields. The accompanying high humidity also increases the risk of crop diseases. Similar concerns have been voiced in Liaoning province, another significant corn-producing area, where officials note accelerating soil moisture loss during critical growth stages for corn and rice.

Major crops such as corn and rice are currently in their critical growth stages, and soil moisture loss is accelerating on sloping hills and sandy areas.

— Jinzhou City Government, LiaoningOfficials in Liaoning province highlighted the critical growth stages of major crops and accelerating soil moisture loss.

The autonomous region of Xinjiang, responsible for nearly all of China's cotton production, is also experiencing scorching heat. Forecasts predict widespread temperatures of at least 35 degrees Celsius through August 11, with Turpan potentially reaching 50 degrees Celsius. The Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region Climate Center warned that sustained high temperatures could negatively impact grain filling, cotton boll development, and fruit growth, leading to stunted crops and premature ripening.

Commercial forecaster Marcus Weather Inc. estimates that the ongoing heat and drought could reduce Xinjiang's cotton production by as much as 5 percent in August. Meanwhile, southern China faces a different weather challenge, with heavy rains expected in Guangdong and Guangxi provinces, increasing the risk of rice blast disease due to already saturated soils.

Sustained high temperatures could negatively impact corn grain filling, cotton boll growth and fruit enlargement, leading to stunted development, sunburn and premature ripening.

— Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region Climate CenterThe regional climate center in Xinjiang warned about the potential negative impacts of sustained high temperatures on crops.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by The Straits Times in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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