It is now spring in China. But the severe drought in the country’s southwestern region means farmers cannot go back to their land.

The drought is being called the worst in a hundred years. It has affected more than 8 million hectares of arable land in the region. According to China’s Office of State Flood Control and Drought Relief Headquarters, the drought has also left more than 20 million people across five provinces without adequate drinking water.

Some people are wondering if man-made causes have contributed to the crisis.

Geological expert Fan Xiao from the Sichuan Geological Exploration and Exploration of Mineral Resources believes the rapid development of hydropower has played a part.

[Fan Xiao, Sichuan Geological Exploration and Exploration of Mineral Resources]: “Many of the large hydropower plants along the major rivers are not able to supply water, this is a common problem. In particular, the Buoyang and Dongting lakes along the lower reaches of the Yangtze River are experiencing low water levels for a number of years now. Some experts say this has to do with the reservoir for Three Gorges Dam.”

According to the Chinese Academy of Sciences, China’s hydropower capacity increased by 100 million megawatts from 1999 to 2008. Up to 75% of the total capacity is concentrated in China’s southwestern region.

Fan says satisfying the needs of these hydropower plants has affected the supply of water to the public.

[Fan Xiao, Sichuan Geological Exploration and Exploration of Mineral Resources]: “With large investments into hydropower plants, more often it’s the powerful interest groups that are considered. The interest before them is satisfying the water needs for producing power. This is at odds with the supply of water [to people]. To maximize the production of electricity, the dams hold a lot of water. During winter and spring when there is less water, this may exacerbate the water shortage.”

Fan says the hydropower plants have also caused irreparable damage to the ecological system of rivers. He wants authorities to coordinate the use of water resources by considering the interest of the wider public.