Chinese Vice Premier Hui Liangyu has said more efforts must be put into fighting Yunnan's worst drought in 60 years when visiting the province in southwestern China.

He urged local authorities to ensure water supply for urban and rural residents and for agricultural uses.

He also urged more work be done to limit the spread of forest fires.

Hui visited several rural households to know if they had enough water. He also inspected affected crops, reservoirs and forests during his Wednesday to Friday visit to Yunnan.

Yunnan's drought has resulted in water shortages for locals, livestock and crops.

The dry spell started in the autumn 2009 and has also hit neighboring Guizhou Province and Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region.