China's agricultural yields could be affected by El Nino, a weather pattern that has the potential to cause both droughts and flooding, the Ministry of Agriculture warned on Friday.
The ministry warned that this fall, El Nino of medium to strong magnitude is expected, which could result in excessive rainfall in south China and severe drought in the north, and bring earlier frosts to the country's northeast.
Adverse weather could cause crop damage to rice in south China and grains in the north, the ministry said.
The ministry urged agricultural authorities to maintain vigilance and prepare plans for the worst case scenario.
El Nino is a warming of the sea's surface in the Pacific that occurs every four to 12 years.
