South China's Guangdong Province is experiencing drought, with about 50,000 people facing a shortage of drinking water.

South China's Guangdong Province is experiencing  drought, with about 50,000 people facing a  shortage of drinking water.

Local flood control and drought relief authorities say over 55,000 hectares of crops are affected. Water levels at some reservoirs are much lower than last year, due to the lack of rainfall.

Authorities predict the drought will probably get worse in the coming days as Guangdong usually has less rain in autumn and winter once the typhoon season ends in October.

(CCTV October 17, 2009)