JINAN, June 21 (Xinhua) -- Severe drought is affecting east China's Shandong Province.
As of June 18, the drought had inflicted damage on 656,667 hectares of crops, according to the provincial flood control and drought relief headquarters. Shandong authorities have launched an emergency response against the drought.
According to the headquarters, the province saw less rainfall this year, with average precipitation standing at 101.2 mm, 37 percent lower than the same period last year.
So far this year, the province has pumped an investment of 970 million yuan (141 million U.S. dollars) in drought-relief funds, with about 1.52 million people mobilized against the drought.
According to meteorological authorities, the drought is likely to continue as little rainfall is forecast in the province in the near future.
