A lingering drought in Gansu province could worsen in the next few weeks, with drinking water for close to 1 million people already under threat, authorities said.

The drought, which has lasted since mid-February, has already affected 5 million people and forced more than 1 million to seek government aid.

With temperatures continuing to rise, the drought could worsen in the next few weeks as meteorological authorities predict little rainfall in the province until late April, said Zhang Kebing, deputy director of the provincial civil affairs department.