September 16, 2022
A heatwave and severe drought in China have caused Poyang, the country’s largest freshwater lake, to shrink to one-fifth of its original size. The lake regulates the flow of the Yangtze River in China’s central Jiangxi province, accommodating floodwaters in the summer. This year, due to the heatwave, the lake entered its dry season in August, which is the earliest it has done so since 1951.
The lake is an important source of water for irrigation and is a stopover for migratory birds. The decline in the water level has affected shipping and has caused a shortage of drinking water for residents nearby.
Did You Know?
Poyang Lake’s basin is one of the most significant rice-producing areas in China.
ACTIVITY: Water Is Life
Name the countries where these freshwater lakes are found.
