Zhejiang in desperate need of sunshine

Hangzhou (CNS) -- South China's Zhejiang Province has been hugged by sunshine for only 93 hours in the almost two months since January 1, just half of a normal year's dose and the least in 60 years.

Lou Maoyuan, deputy director at the provincial meteorological station told CNS that the continuous chilly, overcast and rainy weather is likely to affect agricultural production.

From the perspective of agricultural meteorology, the authority estimates that low temperatures, and abundant rainfall and humidity together with insufficient sunshine, will cause ponding in the farmlands and reduce photosynthesis considerably, which is a vital element of plant growth.

Tea production, for which this agricultural sector of the region is famed, will stall. Thus this year's spring tea will arrive on markets later than usual.

The authority predicted the depressing weather will last at least for the the coming week, bad news for farmers.