China's most severe drought in five decades is affecting most of the country's south. Dongting lake in central Hunan has now shrunk by two thirds, while in Jiangsu Province, many lakes are suffering great losses of water.

China's most severe drought in five decades is affecting most of the country's south. Dongting lake in central Hunan has now shrunk by two thirds, while in Jiangsu Province, many lakes are suffering great losses of water.

This grassland was a lake one month ago.

The body of water used to be 140 thousand hectares, and it's now no more than 50 thousand.

Severe drought has brought the water level down by 4 to 5 meters, hampering breeding and migration.

Gao Yibing, Fisherman, said, "No eggs were produced, so of course there's no young fish. So we would not be able to fish anything in autumn and winter."

Some shrimp and crabs have died in the dried silt under the scorching sun.

Peng Meihua, Fisherman, said, "In a limited space, crabs would kill each other. Weeds would prosper in shallow water, they can consume great amounts of nutrition and oxygen, again it would affect the fish and crabs."

Technicians were sent to local fishermen, while some drill wells to acquire water, but it's not affective so far.

Zhang Senbing, Head Natang Couty, Matang County Aquatic Products, said, "Our pond shrank by ten times, we have one hundred and eighty thousand tons of young fish in the pond, they all congested in the remaining water and they are dying everyday."

Fisherman, said, "This year I'm not a fisherman, but a lotus-root man."

This lake in Jiangsu Province has shrunk by half, giving ducks, geese and other birds a better chance to feed themselves.

But there is some good news For those who love the most famous crabs in China from Yangcheng Lake in Jiangsu Province.

The 30 centimeter drop in the water level has meant more sun exposure for the crabs, making them grow more.