The drainage basin of the Yangtze River, China's longest river, received only half its normal rainfall in August.

Rainfall in the Yangtze River's middle and lower reaches was down 40 percent from the annual average for August while rainfall in some tributaries in its upper reaches was down by 60 percent, according to the Yangtze River Hydrologic Bureau.

This summer's decline in rainfall has led to water levels to hit record lows in many sections of the river, which are often ravaged by floods, said Wang Jun, deputy director at the bureau that is based in Wuhan, capital of central China's Hubei Province.

Wang said that the water level at Datong hydrologic station in the eastern province of Jiangsu hit a record low of 6.58 meters on August 30.

Low water levels have affected irrigation, leaving crops to wither from the blistering sun and severe drought. Industrial production along the river has also been reduced.

Chongqing, a city on the upper reaches of the Yangtze River, is suffering from its worst drought since meteorological records began in 1891.

The drought has caused record-low water levels in the Jialing River and also the Chongqing section of the Yangtze River.

A measure of hope has surfaced as water levels in the Yangtze River and many of its tributaries began to rise after moderate and heavy rains fell over the past couple of days.

(Xinhua News Agency September 7, 2006)