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Areas hit by drought to expand in China

By Zheng Jinran (chinadaily.com.cn)
Updated: 2010-08-18 21:52

China warns that the drought-hit areas may expand to affect more people and agriculture in some regions, although mudslide caused by heavy rain plagues Southwest China.

Over 3 million people and 2.5 million livestock have difficulties in getting drinking water and farmland totaling 39 million mu (2.6 million hectares) have been affected until Aug 18, a statement by Office of State Flood Control and Drought Relief Headquarter said.

Provinces in southern China will have another spate of hot and dry weather in the coming days. Reservoirs destroyed by recent floods or mudslides add further difficulties to the fight against the drought.

More than 1,000 people have been evacuated after mudslides hit a remote village in southwest China's Yunnan Province early Wednesday, leaving at least 67 people still missing and 38 injured, local authorities said.