China plans to use chemicals to generate rain and save harvest

A farmer stands on the parched land in his rice fields on the outskirts of Chongqing, China (Mark Schiefelbein/AP)

China has announced plans to try and protect its grain harvest from record-breaking drought by using chemicals to generate rain.

The hottest, driest summer since Chinese records began 61 years ago has wilted crops and left reservoirs at half their normal water level.