Ecology. Severe drought puts spotlight on Chinese dams.

Southwest China's monsoon-driven climate doesn't bring much precipitation in autumn and winter. But this year's dry seasonmcoupled with a late start and early end to last year's rainy seasonmhas left the region parched. Environmental groups in Thailand and elsewhere lay at least part of the blame on China's doorstep. They claim that China's management of a series of dams on the Lancang River has aggravated the unfolding crisis. Yet Chinese engineers and some other scientists say the criticism is unfounded.