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909,000 face drinking water shortage in E China

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2009-11-06 22:34

NANCHANG: A prolonged drought since September has affected 909,000 people in east China's Jiangxi Province, said a spokesman with the provincial flood control and drought relief office on Friday.

Related readings:  China urges more relief efforts for prolonged drought  Guangdong drought hard to swallow  Lingering drought wrecks crops, water supply  Drought lingers in southern, eastern China

The drought has cut off normal water supply in some rural areas. "Villagers in Fengxin, Jing'an, Leping counties have to carry drinking water by trucks," said Sun Xiaoshan, deputy director of the office.

"The water levels of four of the province's five main rivers hit record lows and are still dropping," he added.

"The self-cleaning ability of the rivers has decreased significantly due to the drastic fall of water volume, posing a threat to public health," Sun said.

The provincial government has stepped up water quality monitoring and supervision over enterprises that may cause pollution, Sun added.

Meteorological rockets have failed to bring much relief as there is little moisture in the air, Sun said.

The drought is expected to end between next January and February, he said.