Reuters

China’s capital started pumping “emergency” water from its long-parched neighbouring province on Thursday, with officials speaking of a “grim” shortfall weeks after the Olympics when they said the city had enough water.

Hebei, which surrounds Beijing, will pump 300 million cubic metres of water to the capital from three dams which usually supply nearby farms, towns and cities, the province water office said on its website (www.hebwater.gov.cn).