Drought hits 672,000 people in Chinese metropolis

A lingering drought has left 672,000 people and 317,000 livestock short of drinking water in a major Chinese metropolis, Xinhua reported.

A lingering drought has left 672,000 people and 317,000 livestock short of drinking water in a major Chinese metropolis, Xinhua reported.

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High temperatures and scarce rainfall in Chongqing over the past month were mainly to blame for the drought. Almost 140,000 hectares of crops have withered and six rivers and 92 reservoirs have dried up, said a spokesman with the Chongqing flood control and drought relief office.

Chongqing is a major city in southwest China, and one of the country's four direct-controlled municipalities -- the other three being Beijing, Shanghai and Tianjin.

Authorities have dispatched water trucks and relief supplies to the parched areas and allocated special funds for drought relief, he said.

The drought would continue for the next two months as temperatures were likely to be higher and rainfall less than the past years, said meteorological authorities.