Coal reserves at power plants across China are falling as cold weather continues to strain power supplies, forcing electricity rationing in five provinces and municipalities, state media reported. Coal reserves at nearly 600 major plants had fallen to nine days by Sunday, while a further 205 plants had only enough to last seven days, the National Power Dispatch and Communication Center said, noting that the situation was worsening at 11% of power plants which are required to shut down if coal reserves drop below three days. Power rationing continued in Shanxi, Shandong, Henan, Hubei and Chongqing. The cold weather has begun to make itself felt in higher prices for produce in some areas.