A farmer stands on rimose paddyfield in Guihua Town of Suining City, southwest China's Sichuan Province,Aug. 8, 2006. Nearly 1.1 million hectares of farmland of the province have been affected, and 2.39 million people as well as 3.04 million heads of livestock are facing a shortage of drinking water due to drought. (Xinhua Photo)

Firemen deliver water for villagers in the suburbs of Suining City, southwest China's Sichuan Province, Aug. 8, 2006. (Xinhua Photo)

Villagers go a long way to carry water due to drought in Baixiang Village of Guihua Town of Suining City, southwest China's Sichuan Province Aug. 8, 2006. (Xinhua Photo)

Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao urged local governments and central government departments on Tuesday to go all out to secure water supplies for people and cattle in regions suffering from severe drought.

In droughts-hit areas irrigation facilities should be brought into full play, said the premier, who is also member of the Standing Committee of Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee Political Bureau.

He called on efficient use of water in a scientific way and providing more services for farmers in the anti-drought drive.

People should try hard to minimize losses caused by the current droughts in some northern, southwestern and southern areas, he said.

According to official figures, since April lingering droughts have affected a total of 17.6 million hectares of farmland across the country, up 21 percent compared with the figure for the same period of last year.

Vice-Premier Hui Liangyu has urged local governments and central departments to seriously implement the instruction of the premier.

Editor: Donald