Central China's Hubei Province is suffering from a sustained drought due to high temperature and lack of rainfall for about three weeks, with about 200,000 hectares of farmland affected.

 

According to the provincial Flood Control and Drought Relief Headquarters, the drought occurred in the central and eastern parts of the province.

 

As of Wednesday, the drought has resulted in insufficient drinking water supply for about 212,000 people and 134,400 head of livestock in this area.

 

The provincial government has spent 29.32 million yuan (US$3.62 million) and mobilized over one million people and 111,000 machines to fight the drought, said the headquarters.

 

Besides, the government has used water from more than 700 reservoirs to irrigate about 150,000 hectares of farmland and ease the drinking water shortage for 67,500 people and 64,700 head of livestock.

 

(Xinhua News Agency June 15, 2006)