The government of Hainan province in south China has taken a series of prompt measures to combat severe drought brought by persistent hot weather and an acute rainfall shortage.

According to the provincial meteorological bureau on Thursday, the temperature was 1-4.5 degrees Celsius higher than previous years in many parts of the island province in the first half of 2003.

Lingao county recorded the highest temperature of 40 and 40.3 degrees Celsius for two days in early May, an all-time high.

The dry spells have affected more than 96,600 hectares of cropland and the drinking water of 98,800 domestic animals.

The provincial government has appropriated 3.2 million yuan ( 385,540 US dollars) for artificial rain-making and construction of anti-drought facilities.

More than 567,000 people have been aroused to dig 4,214 wells and repair 312 canals. Lingao and Changjiang counties have used artificial methods to bring heavy rainfall, which has helped to ease the drought.