Shanghai says water supplies 'normal' after shortage scare sparks hoarding (update)

SHANGHAI, Oct 12 (Reuters): Authorities in the Chinese financial hub of Shanghai on Wednesday have told citizens that municipal water supplies remain "normal", dispelling rumours of shortages and quality issues that led to a wave of panic-buying throughout the city a day earlier.

Shanghai residents rushed to stockpile bottled water amid rumours that the city was facing a supply crunch brought about by a long drought across the Yangtze river basin this year, as well as a salt tide intrusion in the river's estuary.