China drought in north has `no apparent impact' on wheat, forecaster says

BEIJING. January 19. KAZINFORM Dry weather conditions in northern China have had "no apparent impact" on most of the regions' wheat crops because there is sufficient accumulated moisture in deeper soil layers, according to a report on the website of the China Meteorological Administration.

Wheat in most of the affected areas was irrigated before the winter drought and the crops need little water as they are in a dormant stage of growth, according to the report .

Still, the effects on agriculture and drinking water supplies are "developing" as the dry conditions continue, and will be closely monitored, it said, Kazinform cites Bloomberg.

Unusual dryness in the north and snowy conditions in southern China were caused by the La Nina weather pattern, the report said. Some southern provinces have experienced the coldest January since 1961, the report said.

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