NANNING: The severe drought in south China had spread to two more cities in Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, local authorities said Monday.

Liuzhou and Laibin cities were now part of the worst-hit areas, as the drought continued to intensify, said a spokesman with the regional flood control and drought relief headquarters.

In Liuzhou City, more than 132,500 people and 44,100 livestock were short of drinking water. The drought also affected the irrigation of 64,393 hectares of cropland, he said.

In Laibin City, 106,000 people and 72,000 livestock lacked adequate supplies of drinking water, and more than 70,400 hectares of cropland was without water, the spokesman added.