Severe drought continues in southwestern China and the affected regions are extending to the north.

More than 3.5 million hectares of crops have been affected. In Yunnan, the worst hit province, there's a high probability there will be four seasons of continuous drought. Until recently, Yunnan province has provided financial support and subsidies to help fight the drought, of up to 70 million US dollars. During the Spring Festival period, Yunnan did create artificial rain.

Jiangang Cheng, Yunnan Weather Bureau Vice Director, said, "There is no significant change to the overall drought conditions, but the artificial rainfall helped to control the explosive threat of forest fires."