Dai people in southwest China's Yunnan Province Thursday enjoyed a "modest sprinkling spree" to celebrate their New Year amid persistent drought in the region.

In stead of an all-day-long celebration in previous years, Thursday's celebration in Xishuangbanna Dai Autonomous Prefecture was cut to two hours (12 p.m to 2 p.m.), and people are encouraged to splash less water, according to Duan Jinhua, head of the prefecture's information office.

Controversy arose late March after the local government decided not to cancel the Water Sprinkling Festival, a major celebration for the New Year in the ethnic Dai calendar, as a prolonged severe drought has ravaged most parts of the province.

Differing from Xishuangbanna's decision, Dehong Dai and Jingpo Autonomous Prefecture has canceled official celebrations for the Water Sprinkling Festival, and leave local people free for their own choices.

The Water Sprinkling Festival, which is also observed by several other ethnic groups in addition to Dai in Yunnan, falls on April 15 this year. The traditional festival was listed a state intangible heritage in 2006 and has become a chance for carnival.

The drought has lingered in southwest China for months, affecting 19.42million residents and 5 million hectares of crops, the Ministry of Civil Affairs said Tuesday.