The State Flood Control and Drought Relief Headquarters sent four work teams to southern China on Wednesday to help relieve the effects of a drought that has recently intensified in the region.

A housewife wash clothes at the dried-up Dongjin Reservior in Huangzhulin Village of Zhaotong City, southwest China's Yunnan Province, Aug. 23, 2011. [Xinhua]?

Drought-hit provinces include Guizhou, Yunnan, Hunan and Sichuan, as well as Chongqing Municipality.

According to data from the headquarters, the drought has so far affected a total of 88.13 million mu (5.86 million hectares) of arable land, leaving more than 12 million people and 9.17 million cattle short of drinking water.

The headquarters previously sent 16 teams to assist with drought relief. The central government has allocated more than 2 billion yuan (312.5 million U.S. dollars) to support local drought-fighting efforts.