New World Climate

5.9 million Chinese face drinking water shortages

As the Yangtze river hits its lowest water levels in at least 140 years, the figures of Chinese who face drinking water shortages has doubled from 2.43 million to 5.9 million. According to state media, the cause is severe winter drought as rainfall is down 70% this year.

Because of the low water levels in the Yangtze River, more than 40 ships have run aground since October, and the number of livestock without sufficient drinking water hit 5.67 million.

Sources include Inquirer.net and Chinaview.

Georgia attempts to appropriate a portion of Tennessee in order to secure more water during historic drought

A historic drought (PDF) in Georgia has prompted state legislators to attempt to appropriate a portion of Tennessee in order to give Atlanta residents access to water from the Tennessee River. In 1818, the border between Georgia and Tennessee was drawn incorrectly due to primitive surveying equipment. Now that Atlanta residents are facing water shortages, the state legislators wants to move the state line 1.1 miles north which would allow Georgia to draw water from the Tennessee River.

Tennessee officials and residents have said they will fight the measure by whatever means necessary.

More details available at the Washington Post.