A severe drought in North China's Inner Mongolia autonomous region has inflicted damages in almost half of the region, causing more than 10 million yuan ($1.5 million) in economic losses.

The drought is particularly heavy in Siziwangqi under the city of Ulanqab, where only 4.5 mm of rainfall has been recorded since March. The drought has affected 34,520 local people, with 18,543 short of water supply, according to the local government. About 37 percent of its crop fields and grassland have suffered damages, the government said on Sunday, adding that about 11,400 livestock were also affected.

The drought has also caused forest fires in the region, with three forests engulfed by fire last week. The fires have been extinguished, and police are still clearing the sites.

A small amount of rainfall in the coming week will help alleviate the drought in some areas, but the middle and western areas of the region will continue to suffer drought, according to the regional meteorological bureau.