This spring’s extreme weather is the latest in a series of water shortages, exposing the risks that limited freshwater resources pose for the world’s biggest agricultural producer, top energy consumer, and fastest-growing industrial economy. Click through the interactive infographic below to learn more about the provinces impacted by this spring’s drought, as well as how droughts in previous seasons have affected other parts of China.
Map by Mark Townsend, a recent graduate of Ball State University’s journalism graphics program. Townsend is a Traverse City-based designer for Circle of Blue and can be reached at circleofblue.org/contact.
This graphic was made to accompany Circle of Blue reporter Nadya Ivanova‘s report, Rains Bring Relief for Six-month China Drought, But Chronic Water Problems Loom.