400,000 short of water in Chinese city

HUAIHUA, China, Aug. 5 (UPI) -- A prolonged drought is causing water shortages for nearly 400,000 people and 110,000 head of livestock in China's Huaihua city, officials said.

The city is in central China's Hunan province, where hot weather and a lack of rainfall is drying up wells and ponds, Xinhua, China's official news agency, reported Friday.

The drought has damaged crops and dried up more than 1,200 wells, said a spokesman with the Hauihua Municipal Flood Control and Drought Relief Headquarters.

Officials said the drought would affect the autumn grain output in the agricultural region.

Local officials have artificial means to generate rain and have sent water tucks and relief supplies to drought-stricken areas.