Drought eases in Chongqing, lingers in other affected regions

BEIJING, April 10 (Xinhua) -- Heavy rain has eased the drought conditions in southwest China's Chongqing Municipality, but dry weather and rising temperatures continue in other affected regions.

Zhang Xu, deputy director of the Office of State Flood Control and Drought Relief Headquarters, said that Chongqing had received more than 50 mm of rain since March 23, and more than 100 mm in the southeast area.

However, drought still persisted in other areas, including the provinces of Yunnan, Guizhou and Sichuan and Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region as rain in these regions was far from adequate.

As of Friday, drought had affected 25.39 million people and 18.08 million livestock, as well as 122 million mu (8.13 million hectares) of arable land nationwide, said the statement.