GUIYANG - Lingering drought in southwest China's Guizhou Province has left more than 2.5 million people short of drinking water, local authorities said Saturday.

About 15.6 million people in 1,236 towns of 81 counties and districts ?have been affected by the drought since July, with 2.64 million lacking drinking water, according to the provincial flood control and drought relief headquarters.

Some 1.23 million hectares of farmland have been affected in the drought. About 1.2 million head of cattle also lack drinking water.

The drought has caused economic losses of 8.60 billion yuan (1.39 billion US dollars), according to initial calculations.

The provincial civil affairs department has allocated 98.75 million yuan for drought relief efforts.

Although showers appeared in southern parts of the province on Thursday and Friday, it is far from enough to relieve the drought.

The drought will continue next week, according to the provincial meteorological station.