Drought leaves 237,000 people thirsty in central China

WUHAN: Severe drought in central China’s Hubei province over the past three weeks has caused drinking water shortages for 237,000 people, local authorities said.

The province received average precipitation of 10.5mm since the beginning of the month, only 10% of the normal volume, the provincial flood control and drought relief headquarters said in a press release.

The statement said the northwest of the province suffered the most from the drought.

In Shiyan and Yichang cities, the driest areas in the country, 237,000 people and 170,000 head of cattle were suffering from a shortage of drinking water.

Meanwhile, 123,000 hectares of cropland was damaged by the drought, posing severe challenges for this year’s harvest.

The provincial government has sent water wagons to relief thirst in the droughthit villages and townships. — Xinhua