BEIJING - The central government initiated an emergency response plan on Friday to battle a severe drought in Southwest China's Yunnan province.

The National Commission for Disaster Reduction and the Ministry of Civil Affairs have dispatched teams to help with relief work.

According to figures from provincial civil affairs authorities, about 6.31 million people in 91 counties in the province have been affected by the drought as of 10 am Thursday.

The drought has left more than 2.42 million people and 1.55 million livestock short of drinking water.

According to the National Commission for Disaster Reduction, this year's drought is more severe than those encountered in recent years, although it is also affecting a smaller area than those droughts.

Authorities have predicted that the province will receive little precipitation in the short-term and that the drought may even worsen by March or April, exacerbating water shortages and hindering agricultural production.