A lack of precipitation and increasingly dusty weather conditions have affected 4.35 million people in 61 counties and districts, of whom 650,000 are facing a drinking water shortage, according to the provincial civil affairs department.

　　The drought has also affected 398,667 hectares of farmland.

　　The provincial government has allotted 26 million yuan (about 4 million U.S. dollars) in drought relief funding to alleviate the drinking water shortage, according to the provincial government's information office.

　　The drought is expected to linger until the end of April. Attempts to induce artificial precipitation will be made if weather conditions suit, according to the provincial meteorological station.