Severe drought has sent river levels in parts of central and northern China to record lows, affecting millions of hectares of farmland and leaving more than a million people short of water.

The drought will persist until Tuesday, the National Meteorological Center said on Thursday.

As of Wednesday more than 1.6 million people and 2 million herd of livestock have been facing water shortages in 13 provinces and regions, with nearly 5 million hectares of farmland affected.

Henan, the worst-hit province, has seen precipitation 40 percent below normal levels since June, this is the lowest mark in 63 years, the Henan provincial meteorological bureau said.

The provincial government has issued an emergency plan to relieve the drought, allowing local authorities to halt water supplies to businesses such as commercial swimming pools and bathhouses, meanwhile industries that use a lot of water have been asked to restrict use.

Henan, as a major crop producer, is making every effort to combat drought, said Yang Dayong, director of the province's flood control and drought relief headquarters.

A drought relief fund has been set up, with more than 1 billion yuan ($163 million) invested in irrigation and water supplies, the provincial government said.

Cloud-seeding operations were carried out on Tuesday in 12 locations, which may affect an area of 6,200 sq km.

Villagers in Xingyao had to draw lots to decide who can pump water from the only well that has not dried up, local media reported. The other 12 wells in the village dried up days ago.

Although Henan is experiencing severe drought this year, the drought situation elsewhere in the country is normal, said He Lifu, chief forecaster at the National Meteorological Center.

"China is so large that there is drought and floods in different regions at the same time," He said.

Questions

1. How many people are currently short on water in parts of central and northern China?

2. How many hectares of farmland have been affected?

3. Which province is the worst hit?

Answers

1. Between 1 million and 1.6 million.

2. 5 million.

3. Henan.

The story is broadcast by Charles McDermid.

（中国日报网英语点津 Helen 编辑）