Drought in S China eases following typhoons

BEIJING - Water shortages in southern regions has eased in the wake of Typhoons Utor and Trami, China's drought relief authority said on Monday.

Over the past ten days, heavy rain has eased conditions. Average precipitation reached 135 mm and 92 mm in Hunan and Zhejiang provinces respectively, according to the State Flood Control and Drought Relief Headquarters.

As of Monday, the drought affected 1.7 million hectares of farmland, down 73 percent from the peak drought season. Today, 2.53 million people are short of drinking water, down 74 percent.

The drought will further ease as more rain is forecast for the southern regions in the coming week.