Drought leaves 164,000 people short of drinking water in NW China

Special report: China
fights worst drought in 50 years

YINCHUAN, April 21 (Xinhua) - A five-month drought
has left 164,000 people in northwest China's Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region short
of drinking water, an official with the regional flood control and drought
relief headquarters said Tuesday.

The drought has hit 11 counties and districts in the central part of the region, including Zhongning, Haiyuan and Yuanzhou, with a total population of 1.47 million, said Li Kewen, vice director of the headquarters.

Villagers transport drinking water from faraway place with rack truck at Xinzhuang Village in Haiyuan County, northwest China's Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, April 2, 2009. A five-month drought has left 160,000 people in northwest China's Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region short of drinking water, according to the local government. (Xinhua/Liu Quanlong)
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"Little precipitation is expected in central Ningxia
in the near future," said Li, adding that there would be no rain in April.

From November to January, the central parts of the
region recorded little rain and the drought was worsening as no significant rain
had occurred in April, said Li.

"The drought has also posed difficulties in watering
79,000 cattle and 1.28 million sheep," said Li.

He said 100,000 people had to buy drinking water from places miles away from their homes.

Firemen send drinking water to residents at Xinzhuang Village in Haiyuan County, northwest China's Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, April 2, 2009. (Xinhua/Liu Quanlong)
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"Each family has to spend at least 100 yuan (14.63
U.S. dollars) on drinking water every month," said Ma Jun, head of the Xutao
Village of Zhongning County.

Ma said most villagers chose to buy well water, which
tasted salty and bitter, but cost only 70 yuan a cubic meter, as they were
unable to afford tap water, which cost up to 300 yuan a cubic meter, including
transport.

The regional government has set aside 1.6 million
yuan in special funds to buy water wagons for people to carry water and to
repair damaged water storage projects.

Local governments have also mobilized officials and
volunteers to carry drinking water for remote schools and households.