The worst drought in six decades in Yunnan Province is still lingering. Chahe Village, a hilly area in Yunnan, has been seriously afflicted by the water shortage over the past few months. Without adequate drinking water, villagers in Chahe have to travel several kilometers to search for water every day.

Chahe, a small mountain village with 143 residents, is located in the hills of Qujing City, some 160 km from Kunming, capital city of Yunnan Province. The village is 1,800 meters above sea level and 800 meters above the Niulan River, which doesn't seem that far away. But due to the craggy road and mountain cliffs, the journey takes an hour and a half. People stumble and limp all the way down the steep, narrow path.

Licking parched lips, the villagers start their water-fetching journey early in the morning. Many carry barrels and water bottles, and drive their livestock downhill. "I shuttle to the river bank three times a day," said Ding Chaoke, "or my livestock will die of thirst."

On the river bank, an old man in his seventies was going back with his grandchild. Stooping under a big barrel, no one could even see his eyes. Some people were sitting on the river bank, drinking water out of gourds.

Once full, the barrels weigh several dozen kilograms--the villagers use all their strength to carry them back up the path. Walking uphill is even harder than walking down, since the villagers have to use their hands while climbing up the steep slope with heavy barrels on their back. Two hours later, when they arrive at the village, their legs tremble so much they can barely walk.

Dai Xiaopu, the village team leader, told Xinhua that due to the scant rainfall in the area, villagers collect rainwater in the dry wells during rainy season every year. "But now the wells are empty. River water is used only for cooking and drinking, while livestock drink secondhand water. If there is any drop of water left, it is used for irrigation. Otherwise, all the crops will wither and die."

An old woman named Yang Yunxiu is desperate this year since her sons and daughters are all migrant workers away from home. She has only her small grandson to fetch water every day. "The soil can yield nothing," she said, weeping.

The villagers have to transport water on their backs for three months, because it is impossible for vehicles to access the village due to the narrow mountain roads that switch back and forth. The local government has sent barrels, quilts and relief money to the villagers. But they need a more fundamental solution.