The number

5.46 million

China launched an emergency response program on Monday to cope with a drought that has hit Liaoning province. As of Monday, the lingering drought had affected about 5.46 million people, 1.17 million of whom need assistance. At least 1.42 million hectares of cropland have also been affected. The drought is the worst in the province in 63 years. Since July, the province has received less precipitation than in any year since meteorological records began in 1951, according to the provincial meteorological bureau.