Recent rainfall across parts of Henan, Shandong, and Anhui provinces has created challenges for China's summer wheat harvest, with farmers taking urgent steps to protect their crops from waterlogging and disease.
On Monday, scattered rain fell across much of Henan as wheat in the south of the province reached maturity. While the rainfall, mainly light to moderate, did not cause significant standing water, it left fields muddy and too slick for harvesters.
With clear skies returning and no rain forecast for the coming week, authorities in the province's Tanghe County have mobilized 4,000 harvesters in anticipation that all harvesting can be completed within about a week once conditions allow.
In Shandong, steady rain has helped wheat kernels fill out in areas like Liaocheng, Linyi, and Weifang, but excessive moisture also raises the risk of lodging and post-rain fungal and pest threats, making field management a top priority.
In low-lying areas along the lakes of Tongcheng City, Anhui, heavy and persistent rains have resulted in severe waterlogging, submerging wheat and croplands. Local authorities have activated pumping stations around the clock to drain excess water and reduce agricultural losses, with some wheat fields in Huayuan Village, Fangang Town, experiencing water depths exceeding 70 centimeters and severe crop damage as a result.
Chinese farmers race to harvest wheat despite rain delays
