Shallow river

Dried-up Yellow River brings sorrow to China. Dermot Tatlow / Panos

China’s Yellow River may soon dry up. Water levels are only a third of what they were 50 years ago. Drought, deforestation and mismanagement are responsible, according to Professor Cao Mingming of Xibei University. The river was once known as ‘the sorrow of China’, overflowing at least 1,600 times, changing its course 26 times and killing thousands of people.

Down to Earth vol 9 no 13

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