A total of 9.81 million people and 9.19 million heads of livestock in south and southwest China are suffering from drinking water shortages caused by prolonged drought.

According to the State Flood Control and Drought Relief Headquarters (SFCDRH), drought since the beginning of the spring has affected 1.61 million hectares of crops in the seven provinces including Hunan, Guangxi, Hainan, Sichuan, Chongqing, Yunnan and Guizhou.

SFCDRH sources said only ten millimeters of rainfall were recorded in eastern Sichuan, western Chongqing and parts of Guizhou and Hainan since mid-March, but it would not help ease the drought. No rain was reported in Yunnan.

China Meteorological Administration forecast on Sunday that the drought would continue into April at least.

(Xinhua News Agency March 26, 2007)