More than two million people are facing drinking water shortages in Yunnan, southwest China, due to a continued lack of rainfall, the provincial vice governor said.

On 3 November, the authorities calculated 4.44bn cubic metres of water were stored in Yunnan’s lakes and reservoirs, the lowest level in 17 years, reported Xinhua.

According to the provincial meteorological bureau, drought conditions are likely to worsen in Yunnan in March and April 2012 because of a delayed rainy season.