A total of 9.81 million people and 9.19 million heads of
livestock in south and southwest China are suffering from drinking
water shortages thanks to prolonged drought.
According to the State Flood Control and Drought Relief
Headquarters (SFCDRH), drought since the beginning of the spring
has affected 1.61 million hectares of crops in the seven provinces
including Hunan, Guangxi, Hainan, Sichuan, Chongqing, Yunnan and
Guizhou.
SFCDRH sources said only ten millimeters of rainfall were
recorded in eastern Sichuan, western Chongqing and parts of Guizhou
and Hainan since mid-March, but it would not help ease the drought.
No rain was reported in Yunnan.
China Meteorological Administration forecast on Sunday that the
drought would continue into April at least.
(Xinhua News Agency March 26, 2007)