Persistent drought in southwest China\'s Guizhou province has affected more than 8.37 million people, local officials said. The dry weather has lingered in the region since mid-June, affecting 61 counties, China\'s official Xinhua News Agency reported Friday. More than 1.3 million acres of farmland have been affected, causing an economic loss of $522 million, local officials said. Provincial government officials have allocated $3.1 million for drought relief. The dry weather is expected to remain through Aug. 5.