BEIJING - The central government on Tuesday initiated a level-IV emergency response plan to manage the drought in Northwest China's Gansu Province.

The National Commission for Disaster Reduction and the Ministry of Civil Affairs have dispatched teams to help with the relief work.

Some areas in the province have seen little rainfall since spring, according to local authorities.

More than 6.2 million people's livelihoods have been affected, making government assistance necessary.

Large swathes of crops have been ruined and direct economic losses are estimated to be 3.62 billion yuan (about 541.9 million U.S. dollars).

Local civil affairs authorities have delivered water to or installed makeshift facilities in residential areas, and have organized irrigation and artificial precipitation for the parched fields.

The drought will likely continue through September.