Drought in China afflicts millions of people

This is the worst drought in China for 50 years. (Photo: AP) In Chongqing there has been no rain for 70 days, and two-thirds of the river has dried up, Xinhua reported. Residents in some mountain villages have to walk two kilometers to get water.

At least one person was said to have died of a heart attack, and Xinhua estimated the drought caused $ 1.24 billion in damage.

Severe weather

China's Ministry of Civil Affairs said yesterday that in 2006, China faced the most severe disasters from the past six years. As of Aug. 15, natural disasters killed 2006 people, affecting 316 million people and causing economic losses of $ 20 billion, according to the ministry's estimate.

Earlier this year, heavy snowfall in some areas, while in recent months saw heavy storms killed hundreds of people.

This drought affected millions of people again.

According to Xinhua, 10 million people in Sichuan, 8 million in Chongqing and 600,000 in Liaoning do not have enough drinking water today.