Water streams branch out of a section of Poyang Lake, China’s largest freshwater lake, forming a tree-shape landscape. A persistent drought in East China’s Jiangxi province is drying up the lake. Photo: Liu Zhankun/China News Service, VCG

On Aug. 4, Poyang Lake entered its earliest dry season in 71 years. The water area has been reduced by nearly 70% compared to July. Photo: Liu Zhankun/China News Service, VCG

The dry and cracked lake bottom of a section of Poyang Lake in Jiujiang, Jiangxi, on Friday. Photo: Liu Zhankun/China News Service, VCG

The cracked waterbed near the lake in Lushan, Jiangxi, on Monday. Photo: Liu Zhankun/China News Service, VCG

An excavator digs a canal to store water. Photo: Liu Zhankun/China News Service, VCG

Cattle graze on an exposed area of Poyang Lake in Jinxian County, Jiangxi, on Tuesday. Photo: Liu Zhankun/China News Service, VCG

Visitors stand at the river embankment on Sunday near Poyang Lake. Photo: Liu Lixin/China News Service, VCG

The 1,000-year-old Luoxingdun Island on Poyang Lake is completely exposed due to the low water levels. Photo: Liu Lixin/China News Service, VCG