BEIJING - China's central government has allocated 1.3 billion yuan ($203.13 million) to help with drought-relief efforts in the country's rain-starved southwest regions, the Ministry of Finance said Tuesday.

The funds will be used to ensure people's well-being in the drought-hit provinces of Guizhou, Yunnan and Sichuan, Chongqing municipality and Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region, the ministry said in a statement on its website.

The funds will also be used to ensure drinking water for residents and livestock, restore agricultural production and build irrigation projects and facilities, the statement said.

A severe and persistent drought, which started in June, has left more than 12.6 million people short of drinking water and parched huge tracts of farmland in the country's southwestern regions.

Vice Premier Hui Liangyu on Monday urged relevant authorities to step up efforts in combating drought, including improving efficiency of water use.

The National Meteorological Center forecast Tuesday that light rain will fall in the southwest regions over the next three days with an accumulated precipitation of 3 millimeters to 12 millimeters.