BEIJING - A lingering spring drought in south China has left 1.09 million people and 380,000 livestock short of drinking water, the nation's drought relief authority said on Friday.

The drought has also affected more than 1.33 million hectares of farmland in seven provinces including Jiangxi, Hunan and Hubei, which are major grain-producing areas, according to the Office of State Flood Control and Drought Relief Headquarters.

South China has experienced 50 percent less rainfall than usual since the start of this year, which has dried up major rivers and reservoirs in the area. The drought has also hampered spring harvest efforts, the headquarters said.

Jiangxi and Hunan local governments have earmarked 135 million yuan to improve their irrigation systems.

Droughts have occurred frequently in China in recent years, putting the nation's fragile water conservation facilities to a grim test.

China will strive to improve the country's underdeveloped water conservation facilities over the next 5 to 10 years, according to a document issued jointly by the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China and the State Council, China's cabinet.