Southern China is expected to experience high temperatures and below-average rainfall in July which will worsen the problem of blue-green algae in its water resources, a senior meteorological official warned on Monday.

 

High temperature and little rain were the major factors behind the recent outbreak of blue-green algae at Taihu Lake, though there were multiples reasons for the outbreak, said Song Lianchun, from the China Meteorological Administration, at a press conference held in Beijing.

 

Since May, blue-green algae outbreaks have been reported in eastern Taihu Lake, Chaohu Lake and southwestern Dianchi Lake, and have threatened the local tap water supply.

 

The temperature will be about one degree Celsius higher than average in southeast China, the eastern region of northeast China and on the Tibetan Plateau, according to Song.

 

(Xinhua News Agency July 3, 2007)