A severe drought has hit regions along the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River, the country's longest waterway.

Data from meteorological authorities shows rainfall in these regions in east and south China is 30 to 80 percent less compared to levels in normal years. Anhui, Jiangsu, Hubei, Hunan, Jiangxi and Zhejiang provinces and Shanghai Municipality are suffering from the worst drought since 1954.

Water levels in the mainstream of the Yangtze are 25 to 70 percent less compared to normal years.

In order to ensure steady supplies of water and safe passage for vessels on the Yangtze River, the Office of State Flood Control and Drought Relief Headquarters has ordered more water discharges from the Three Gorges Dam, the country's largest hydropower project.