East China's Jiangxi Province has been struck by a severe drought with over 223,000 residents having difficulties obtaining potable water.

Since the beginning of July, the province has received an average of 19.5 millimeters rainfall, which is about 67 percent less than last year. Three cities have seen rainfall reduced by 80 to 90 percent, including Ganzhou, Ji'an and Fuzhou.

The continual drought has affected about 200,000 hectares of crop land and 117,000 head of livestock.

According to the weather forecast, Jiangxi can expect no rain, but will experience high temperatures in the next 10 days, which will worsen the situation.

The province has been taking measures to provide enough water for the residents and over 600,000 people have been assigned relief work, according to Jiangxi Flood Control and Drought Relief Headquarters.

(Xinhua News Agency July 18, 2003)