The river's intake of water has reportedly dropped to a 50-year low.

This year, the river is running at little more than 40 percent of past flows, according to the Yellow River Water Conservancy Committee.

And the demand for water will outstrip supply by 5 billion cubic meters in the entire river valley this year.

This may be but another crisis after the "extremely dry" year of 2002, experts say.

Consecutive and escalating droughts in the north have pressed the government to undertake gigantic water diversion projects.

The idea is to channel water from the relatively "water-rich" Yangtze River to the parched north and northwest.

This expensive diversion only geographically balances the water supply.

Water scarcity remains our national headache.

Even the once well-watered south is feeling its throat burn.

A recent survey found per capita water reserves in the Yangtze River valley had slid from the 2,700 cubic meters in 1980 to 2,100 cubic meters last year. That was one-fourth of the world average.

Despite their traditional image as "lands of fish and rice," 59 cities in the Yangtze River valley suffer inadequate water supply.

On December 7, water levels on the Yangtze dropped to a 10-year low. Experts warned of serious problems for water transport on the river and its main tributaries.

Water shortages in the country's two most important river valleys are a wake-up call for the nation to seriously review its attitude towards water.

No human endeavour can add to our overall water reserve. That is totally at the mercy of Mother Nature.

By changing the way we use water, however, we can make it go further.

It is important for every person to conserve water. That is why some cities have adopted strict quotas for individual households. But that is far from enough.

Water-friendly industrial policies are equally imperative.

If industrial enterprises even met current rules, they could greatly reduce water pollution. That is an effective way to increase the supply of safe water.

The introduction of water-saving technologies may also dramatically cut demand for water among traditional industries such as farming.

A more constructive approach, however, is to gradually eliminate industries and technologies that waste water.

It might mean some immediate loss for local businesses. But the ultimate benefits are tremendous.

(China Daily March 4, 2003)