W China drought affects over 1 million

BEIJING - More than one million people in southwestern Guizhou province and northwestern Gansu province are facing a drinking water shortage as two separate droughts continue to trouble these areas.

A girl stands in a almost dried-up well in Shuitang village, Weining county of Southwest China's Guizhou province on March 16, 2013. [Photo/Xinhua]

The dry weather and high temperature in Guizhou has affected 417,800 people, 131,700 livestock and 68,000 hectares of crops, said the provincial flood control and drought relief headquarters on Friday.

The average precipitation in Guizhou has been 168.6 mm since the beginning of this year through early March. In the worst-hit areas, the rainfall was 60 percent lower than the same period of previous years.

In Gansu, lingering drought has affected 3.123 million people, of which 643,400 are still facing a drinking water shortage, according to the provincial Civil Affairs Bureau.

Statistics from the bureau showed that 47 counties and districts across the province have been hit by the drought, which began last autumn.

The provincial Meteorological Bureau said that possible rain and snowfall tomorrow may ease the drought.

Governments and relevant departments are making efforts to protect crops and ensure water supply for local residents.