Witness villagers' life in drought-hit Napo County of Guangxi Province

130,000 people, which accounts for 60 percent of the county's total population, have trouble in getting drinking water. The Baise City's drought-relief statistical table shows that Napo County comes out top in two records. Baise City is one of Guangxi Province's four extremely arid cities, suffering from continually dry weather.

On March 23, following personnel from the drought emergency department of Baise City, the reporters departed from the center of the city by car, and after driving more than 300 kilometers, they arrived in Napo County, the area heaviest hit by the drought, to report on the drought conditions.

A villager from Guolintun, Zhonghe Village, Longhe Township,  Napo County, carries water with a horse.

Never knowing when the water will come out of the taps 　

After passing through Gaobang in Yunnan Province from Guangxi Province and then driving 30 kilometers of mountain road, the reporters finally saw Napo County surrounded by gray limestone mountains. "We only supply water for about two hours per day." Nong Shidu, director of Flood-Control Office of Napo County Water Conservancy Bureau, said while shaking his head. He turned on the tap in the restroom at the water conservancy bureau, and not one drop of water came out.

Originally, Napo County depended on the water from a water plant which drew water from a mountain spring. Beginning last August, it had not yet rained in Napo County. "In August 2009, the rainfall was 70 millimeters, and it has decreased by more than 300 millimeters year-on-year. From that time until now, the rainfall never surpassed 10 millimeters." Nong Shidu said that Napo County has never experienced this kind of drought before. 　　

Several years ago, Napo County built a small Tuanjie Reservoir, which is 13 kilometers away from the county. "If the reservoir is filled with water, it can guarantee drinking water for the whole county." After the reservoir was built, however, the county experienced the drought in consecutive months and now the reservoir has largely dried up. 　

Before, the county supplied about 5000 to 7000 cubic meters of water to the people every day, but now, the spring nearly breaks off and the water plant is only able to supply about 1500 cubic meters of water, twice per day. "Without advance notice, even I don't know when the water will come out of the taps." A staff member from the county Party committee said helplessly. Even the restaurant affiliated to the County Government has to use a tank to store water for operation.