The severe drought in China's southwest had worsened as affected areas had received little rainfall in the past two weeks, said China's drought relief authorities Tuesday.

It had left 18.05 million people and 10.17 million livestock short of drinking water and affected 96.54 million mu (about 6.44 million hectares) of arable land, said the State Flood Control and Drought Relief Headquarters (SFDH).

To ensure the safety of drinking water, local governments had implemented a range of emergency measures, the SFDH said.

Local authorities in Yunnan, Guizhou and Guangxi had built 3,092 water diversion systems and 58,600 irrigation works, and dug 11,200 wells, according to the SFDH.

During a three-day trip to Yunnan Province last week, Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao called for intensified and consistent efforts to relieve the drought and help the affected people overcome their difficulties.

(Xinhua News Agency March 23, 2010)