China's lingering drought is mostly down to lasting low precipitation, according to China's National Meteorological Center. Most regions in North China, and some along the Yangtze River, have been affected, as warm air fails to make its way northward. Provinces such as Hubei, Anhui, Jiangsu, Zhejiang and Fujian are among the worst hit. Our reporter sees how the big thirst has affected daily lives, especially farming.

Five days on and still stranded.

In Huzhou, Zhejiang Province, low precipitation has brought the water levels substantially down, resulting in hundreds of vessels paralyzing the waterways.

Chen Deshan, ship owner said "It has been five days. This is not common."

Huzhou municipal authorities have implemented traffic control on the route, with more than 20 patrol boats, offering relief to those stuck in the mud.

Away from the waterways and into the fields, the big thirst has taken its toll on the farming community.

In Jinzhou City, Central China's Hubei Province, a lack of rain and the Yangtze River's low water levels makes irrigation and rice growing difficult.

But some are coming up with innovative ways to deal with the dry conditions.

The local government in Anhui Province has been teaching locals farmers how to cultivate rice without water.

Zhang Degen, Farmer in Anhui Province said "We have benefited from their teaching. They told us not to irrigate more, which is different from our previous practices. This year, we have no choice but to seed in a dry way, because of the drought."

Over the coming days, the thirst is expected to be quenched a little, according to China's National Meteorological Center. Despite this, the drought is set to linger for little longer.

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