Droughts linger in E China

A month-long heat wave is continuing to affect east China's Zhejiang province, leaving 617,000 people short of drinking water, according to the provincial flood control and drought relief headquarters.

Seventy-nine of the province's counties have been affected, as well as5.83 million mu (388,667 hectares) of farmland and 114,000 head of livestock, according to the headquarters.

The provincial government is working to provide water for 14.08 million mu of croplands, 585,000 people and 174,000 head of livestock.

A total of 385 million yuan (62.9 million U.S. dollars) has been spent on drought relief work, the headquarters said.