China's largest freshwater lake shrinks

The water surface of Phan Duong Lake, the largest freshwater lake in China, has decreased by 200 km ² due to prolonged drought.

>>> Natural lake in China continuously disappears

According to the statistics of the Jiangxi Provincial Department of Meteorology and Hydrology, the average rainfall is down about 21% from the previous year.

Part of Phan Duong Lake in China.

Phan Duong Lake (also known as Ba Duong, Phan Duong, Phon Duong) receives water from five rivers in Giang Tay province. The water then flows into Yangtze - the longest river in China.

With a length of 173km, a maximum width of 74km and a coastline of up to 1,200km, Phan Duong is the largest freshwater lake in China. In the rainy season, the lake surface is up to 4,000 km ² , but in the dry season, the area is less than 1,000 km ² .

Xinhua said that the water level in Can Giang River, one of five rivers flowing into Phan Duong Lake, has reached a record level of 12.35m, 0.47m lower than the previous record low.

Cities along Can Giang River are preparing all options to cope with water shortage due to drought.