More than 80,000 people in south China county of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region are suffering water shortage due to the most serious drought in 50 years, said local authorities Wednesday.

"A total of 38,100 people at Donglan County have to fetch water or rely on water delivered by the government," said Wei Yongzhong with Donglan County Flood Control and Drought Relief Headquarters.

The county's rainfall was 887.6 millimeters in 2009, down 60.7 percent from 2008 and 45 percent lower than perennial average.

The water shortage affected 81,600 people and 53,900 large livestock.

Donglan had invested 736,300 yuan (US$107,836) since 2009 and temporarily solved the water problems of 27,000 people and 23,500 livestock, said Wei.

"Donglan has slight rain Wednesday, but it cannot alleviate the drought," said Wei.

Local water infrastructure was quite backward. All seven reservoirs in Donglan were built in the 1970s, Wei said.

No considerable rainfall that could end the drought in the near future was forecast, according to Donglan meteorological center.

(Xinhua News Agency January 28, 2010)