Shandong hit by worst dry spell in 60 yrs

240,000 face shortage of drinking water

JINAN - Shandong province's worst drought in six decades is escalating, causing a shortage of drinking water for 240,000 people, as northern, central and eastern provinces are battling increasingly dry conditions, authorities said.

Since October 2010, average precipitation in most parts of Shandong is only 11 mm, 86 percent less than usual.