Red Alert

Northern China, roughly the axis of the lower Yellow River, has been undergoing drought conditions for four months now i.e. since November 2008. Many provinces are under a red alert. 40% of the winter wheat crop is at risk. That means less noodles for northerners, wheat being the main ingredient. Rice is the staple southerners prefer and it is the region inundated with rain most years so crops are healthy in the paddies. Centrally located Henan is suffering particularly from the drought. Its reputation is one of being China's breadbasket, somewhat akin to Saskatchewan or Ukraine.