Fixing China´s quake-damaged reservoirs to cost $5.5 bln this year

Sichuan planned to increase reservoir storage capacity by 4.5 billion cubic meters by 2012, from the current 10.5 billion cubic meters.

"With this expansion, the irrigated area in Sichuan will be increased by 666,6667 hectares, from the current 2.5 million hectares," he said.

Sichuan had endured a winter drought, with average precipitation 50 percent less than a normal year, according to provincial meteorologists. Southern Sichuan also had a rare heat wave Monday, with a high temperature of 36.7 degree Celsius.

Leng warned that the drought would mean losses of spring crops.

Editor:Liu Anqi