The number

7.3 billion yuan

Severe drought in Henan province has inflicted direct economic losses of 7.3 billion yuan ($1.2 billion), 97 percent of them in the agricultural sector, local authorities said on Monday. Henan, a major grain-producing region, has raised its emergency response to the third-highest level. The drought has affected 19.3 million people and left 1.1 million short of drinking water.