About 200 million mu (13.3 million hectares) of grasslands had suffered droughts in most of the western Xilin Gol prairie, causing the deaths of 154,000 head of livestock and affecting 7.28 million more, said Adiya, vice magistrate of Xilin Gol League.

The Xilin Gol prairie, covering 296 million mu (19.7 million hectares), had seen only 10 mm of rainfall since spring, Adiya said.

Droughts had plagued the prairie since 1998 due to the decrease in rainfall.

"I had expected this year would be better, but it turned out to be much worse. We don't have enough grass to feed the cattle and sheep. We have no way out, but worry," said Ma Yong, a herdsman in the Sonid Left banner of Xilin Gol.

The central government has invested large amounts in anti-drought measures, but herdsmen are forced to spend their savings to rent pasture, buy fodder and ensure drinking water for their families and livestock.

Each herdsman owed an average 5,500 yuan (US$687.5), reckoned the Animal Husbandry Bureau of the Sonid Left Banner. Ma Yong and his family have used all their savings and borrowed about 30,000 yuan (US$3,750) from relatives and friends.

Adiya said years of drought made the herdsmen realize that they cannot rely on the weather for their livelihoods, but must instead turn to the rapidly growing industrial areas.

Xilin Gol League is creating job opportunities for the herdsmen, offering minimum living expenses and taking other measures to ensure the livelihoods of its people, Adiya said.