More than three million people have joined together to fight a drought that has been accelerating in eight cities in central China's Hunan Province since mid-July.

According to the provincial headquarters for flood control and drought relief, high temperatures have been hovering over the central and southern parts of Hunan since the end of June. Less rainfall, high evaporation and increasing consumption of water have aggravated the drought in these areas.

By July 20, the serious drought had affected 811 townships of 59 counties under the administration of Chenzhou, Yongzhou, Hengyang, Shaoyang, Zhuzhou, Loudi, Xiangtan and Changsha, the provincial capital.

The drought has damaged crops on 576,000 hectares of farmland in these areas.

In addition, 642,000 people and 341,000 head of livestock have had difficulty getting access to drinking water, according to the flood control and drought relief headquarters.

Chenzhou is the worst hit city, with all its 11 counties and districts hit by the drought.

According to the provincial meteorological station, rain is expected in these dry areas in the coming several days, but it is not expected to ease the drought situation completely.

Drizzle to moderate rains are expected in most of the province from July 25-26, according to meteorological sources.

The headquarters for flood control and drought relief has called on all localities in the province to make further efforts to fight the drought, to reduce losses, and to guarantee the supply of safe drinking water for the general public.

Meanwhile, all localities are also required to be on guard against possible flooding as the flood season has arrived.

(Xinhua News Agency July 22, 2003)