GUANGZHOU - About 60,000 people and more than 2.4 million mu (160,000 hectares) of crops have been affected by a lingering drought in South China's Guangdong province, local authorities said on Tuesday.

A total of 59,804 people are suffering from a drinking water shortage and 455,000 mu (30,333 hectares) in 12 cities and counties of the province have been hit by a severe drought, according to the local flood control and drought relief headquarters.

The local government in the province has allocated 8 million yuan ($1.23 million) to fight the drought and guarantee sufficient drinking water supplies.

Guangdong province has received an average rainfall of 231 millimeters since last October, nearly 50 percent less than that in previous years.

Officials in the local flood control and drought relief headquarters said the drought would not ease until next month, when more rains are expected to fall in Guangdong province.