Guangxi acts as drought saps region

Adequate measures put in place as crisis affects residents of 52 counties

Many areas in the Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region have taken measures, including upgrading drilling and irrigation facilities and increasing investment, to tackle a lingering drought that has severely affected rural communities, according to the Ministry of Water Resources.

Since November last year, the region has recorded an average rainfall of 110 millimeters — about 70 percent lower than the average level in previous years and the lowest since 1961, data from the regional meteorological bureau showed.

As of Monday morning, more than 405,000 residents across 52 counties in Guangxi had been affected, mostly in 11 cities including Nanning, Chongzuo, Guigang and Hechi, according to the regional emergency management bureau.