Across China: Ningxia

Drought hurting thousands

More than 196,000 residents in northwest China's Ningxia Hui autonomous region are suffering from a shortage of drinking water due to a drought that has lasted almost half a year, local authorities said yesterday.

The drought has hit 35 towns, involving 196,000 residents, 172,000 livestock and 1.14 million goats. Most people there have to fetch water 10 kilometers away, costing them an average cost of 40 yuan to 70 yuan ($5.9 to $10.2) per ton.