(Clearwisdom.net)

[Editors' note: Throughout history, the theme that a nation's fate is closely tied to the virtue of its leaders and people has been prevalent in both Chinese and Western culture and lore. Many wise, virtuous kings have led their nations to peace and prosperity, while conversely, moral decay in high places has led to the downfall of great empires. These articles are meant to serve as a reminder and wake-up call for those who are leading or participating in large-scale acts of violence and injustice. As Teacher Li Hongzhi said in Essentials for Further Advancement, "When people do not have virtue, natural calamities and man-made disasters will abound."]

Severe Drought in Nan'ao County, Guangdong Province; Seventy Thousand People Have Difficulty Obtaining Drinking Water

On July 5, 2002, the Central News Agency of Taipei (Taiwan) reported that Nan'ao County, in Guangdong (Canton) Province, is currently suffering record high temperatures and the most severe drought in its history.

More than seventy thousand people living in three towns and dozens of villages within the two local districts on the island are having difficulty obtaining drinking water. The Nanfang Daily, in Mainland China, reported that over ninety percent of the crops in Nan'ao County have been severely damaged from the drought this year. Many farms have become so parched that the ground is hard and cracked.

Seasonal Flooding Along the Yangtze River Higher Than Normal

The Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) reported on July 5, 2002, that in certain places along the Yangtze River, where seasonal flooding often occurs, the water levels have already exceeded the danger point.

Also on July 5, 2002, Typhoon Rammasun hit the eastern part of China, including Shanghai and Jiangsu Provinces, bringing torrential rains and violent thunderstorms. Because the water level is already high, the approaching rainy season is very likely to bring severe flooding to some areas along the Yangtze River.