The severe drought in southwest China had persisted, worsening the shortage of drinking water, as recent rainfalls in these areas were far from being adequate, China's drought relief authorities said Thursday.

The drought situation remained "grave," the Office of State Flood Control and Drought Relief Headquarters said in a statement on its website.

As of Thursday, drought had affected 25.95 million people and 18.44 million livestock, as well as 121 million mu (about 8.07 million hectares) of arable land nationwide, said the statement.

(Xinhua News Agency April 9, 2010)