In Suqian, East China’s Jiangsu province, a river has almost dried up on Saturday due to the lack of rain. Photo: Caixin/Ding Gang

The ground around Suqian has grown so dry that it has started to crack. Photo: Caixin/Ding Gang

A dried-up riverbed. Photo: Caixin/Ding Gang

The carcasses of fish and aquatic creatures pile up. Photo: Caixin/Ding Gang

A dead fish lies in a dried-out riverbed. Photo: Caixin/Ding Gang

This river has almost dried up. Photo: Caixin/Ding Gang

The severe drought has caused traffic to grow more congested on this river in Jiangsu. More than 600 cargo ships line up Friday to enter Hongze Lake. Photo: Caixin/Ding Gang