A fisherman casts the net in the Yangtze River near Wuhan, central China's Hubei Province December 28, 2005. Due to a long absence of rain or snow for 42 days, the water level of the Yangtze dropped considerably, hundreds of meters from its bank, baring its sandy river bed. It is reported that this is an unprecedented dry winter in Wuhan for 125 years.

Two young girls draw on the sandy river bed of the Yangtze River near Wuhan.

Due to a long absence of rain or snow for 42 days, the water level of the Yangtze dropped considerably, hundreds of meters from its bank, baring its sandy river bed. It is reported that this is an unprecedented dry winter in Wuhan for 125 years.

(China Daily December 30, 2005)