Villagers water the tobacco seedlings at a planting base of Shitouzhai Village in Mile, southwest China's Yunnan Province, May 17, 2019. A severe drought has affected more than 300,000 people in southwest China's Yunnan Province. As of Thursday, 309,000 people had difficulties accessing drinking water, while 93,000 domestic animals were also facing a water shortage. Government authorities have sent experts to help with drought-relief efforts, with staff sending water to people in dire need. (Xinhua/Qin Qing)

KUNMING, May 17 (Xinhua) -- A severe drought has affected more than 300,000 people in southwest China's Yunnan Province.

As of Thursday, 309,000 people had difficulties accessing drinking water, while 93,000 domestic animals were also facing a water shortage.

Government authorities have sent experts to help with drought-relief efforts, with staff sending water to people in dire need.

Bad meteorological conditions have brought much less precipitation in Yunnan. As of Tuesday, 273,280 hectares of crops had been affected, with 91,160 hectares suffering damage.

Drought has been reported in 110 monitored sites in Yunnan, meteorological authorities said. The northwest, middle and south of Yunnan are in severe drought.

Authorities are ready to begin artificial rain, with 3,642 staff for man-made precipitation on standby.

The drought is likely to continue, as the next few days will remain hot and dry, according to the provincial meteorological administration.