Beijing, Aug 1 (IANS) Over 1.8 million people are facing an acute shortage of drinking water due to a severe drought in a Chinese province, authorities said.
The drought in the mountainous province of Guizhou, which began in June, has damaged 550,200 hectares of crops, Xinhua reported citing the provincial civil affairs bureau.
It has caused economic loss worth 1.82 billion yuan (around $283 million).
Thunderstorms have been forecast for the province in the coming week, which is likely to help ease the lingering drought, the meteorological centre said.
Even as Guizhou suffers from drought, many parts in southern China are being hit by rains and thunderstorms.
