There have been rainfalls in various degree in Sichuan and Chongqing since 16 August 2006. The precipitation was generally from 30-50mm and partially from 50-80mm over middle of Sichuan, southwest and southeast of Chongqing. Meanwhile, the heat wave in this region was obviously relieved. Along with the increasing rainfall and falling temperature, the drought was mitigated in partial area of Sichuan and Chongqing. On 20 August, the drought was relieved in Nanxi, Changning, Rongxian, Dazhu, Litang, Jinchuan, Xiaojin, Xichang. However, without sufficient rainfall, the drought persisted in east of Sichuan and Southwest of Chongqing.
The drought monitoring revealed that, severe drought and partially extreme drought maintained in west of Chongqing, east and west of Sichuan, east of Tibet and North of Xinjiang; general and extreme drought lasted in east of Inner Mongolia, northwest of Liaoning and south of Qinghai; slight and general drought existed in eastern part of south of the Yangtze River, greater part of north China, eastern part of Northwest China, north of Yunnan, northwest of Guizhou, Southwest of Hubei and northwest of Hunan.
According to the forecast of Central Meteorological Observatory, the precipitation in Chongqing and east of Sichuan will increase next week. The area of severe drought will reduce. However, the drought will continue in east of Sichuan Basin and greater part of Chongqing for the asymmetric distribution and inadequacy of rainfall. From 24 to 27 August, there will be rainfall over east of Northwest China, North China, East China, and east of Southwest China. Hence, the drought will relieve in Gansu, Qinghai, Tibet, Yunnan, Guizhou, Inner Mongolia, Liaoning, and west of Sichuan. Over the Huaihe river and the lower reaches of Yangtze river, it will be clear and hot. The drought over eastern part of south of Yangtze river will be enlarged and aggravated. Relevant departments should pay attention to the occurrence of the upcoming drought.