Droughts in different parts of China are threatening the supply of drinking water for 10 million people, the government warned.

A dried up field at a farm in China, in 2003. Droughts in different parts of China are threatening the supply of drinking water for 10 million people, the government warned. [AFP]

The situation has been worsening since mid-April and affected both areas in the north of the country and in Yunnan province in the southwest, the State Flood Control and Drought Relief Headquarters said.

A total of 16.6 million hectares (41 million acres) of cropland has been affected and 7.9 million head of livestock face a shortage of drinking water, the headquarters said, according to the Xinhua news agency.

The headquarters has ordered local governments to take "strong and effective" measures, while the finance ministry has earmarked 100 million yuan (12.5 million dollars) to combat the problem, Xinhua said.