BEIJING -- Drought areas in China have expanded in the second half of January, according to a report released by the China Meteorological Administration (CMA) on Saturday.

In the period, drought hit the western part of northeast China, southeastern and middle part of Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, eastern and western part of north China, eastern and western part of the Yellow River and Huaihe River drainage area, eastern and middle part of northwest China, southern part of southwest China, and southwest part of south China, the CMA said.

The drought areas of the above regions has been expanded due to few precipitation in recent days, according to the report.