Drought lingers in Central China

CHANGSHA -- A weeks-long drought is continuing to linger in Central China's Hunan Province, leaving 533,000 people short of drinking water, the provincial drought relief headquarters said Thursday.

As of Thursday, over 100 counties in 14 cities and prefectures in the province have been affected by the drought. About 6 million mu (400,000 hectares) of crops have also been affected and 311,000 head of livestock lack adequate amounts of drinking water, according to the headquarters.

A pond has dried up from the prolonged drought in Jintang village, Central China's Hunan province, July 24, 2013. [Photo/Xinhua]

The drought has also caused 186 rivers and 252 reservoirs to dry up, the headquarters said.

The province has sent 2.5 million people and 13,000 water tankers to irrigate croplands and provide water for 365,000 people, it said.

The drought is expected to continue as high temperatures and little precipitation persist in the province, according to the local meteorological department.