2009年秋季以來，西南地區降水持續偏少，目前云南、廣西、貴州、四川、重慶五省區市正遭受著60年來最為嚴重的特大干旱，五省區市受旱面積占到全國耕地受旱總面積的83%。全國因旱飲水困難人數達2043萬人，主要集中在西南五省區市。嚴重干旱對當地群眾生活造成了嚴重影響。

The drought in south and Southwestern China has lasted for 5 months. Yunnan, Sichuan, Guizhou Guangxi and Chongqing Municipality, have received only half the amount of rainfall they usually get. A drought this severe has not been seen in decades in the region and has left people struggling.

As the drought continues, getting drinking water is becoming more difficult for people in Yunnan.

Local officials say if the drought continues into May, all the water in the reservoirs and ponds in the province will be used up.

Almost a quarter of the local population will suffer drinking water shortages by then.

The drought has cut the province's power generation capacity by 30 percent, as it largely relies on hydropower.

The drought has damaged at least 3 million hectares of cropland in the Province.

Many farmers complain all their wheat, beans and vegetables have died.

Yunnan is not alone, other provinces and municipalities in Southeastern China face the same problem.

China's State Commission of Disaster Relief says the severe drought has affected 51 million Chinese.

Over 16 million people and 11 million livestock are short of drinking water.

The drought has affected over 6 and half million hectares of arable land.

Dry conditions have also caused a food shortage.

3 million people in Guizhou province and 7 million in Yunnan province are in need of food.