Beijing ( CNN ) -- China 's government will invest $ 1 billion to combat a three month drought crippling the country 's north . The worst drought in six decades threatens to ruin China 's winter harvest , the world 's largest producer of wheat . To combat it , China 's government plans to spend around 6.7 billion yuan ( $ 1.02 billion ) to divert water to affected areas and irrigation facilities according to the state news agency , Xinhua . Some 2.57 million people and 2.79 million livestock are suffering from drinking water shortages , Xinhua said . The main affected provinces include Shandong , Jiangsu , Henan , Hebei and Shanxi , which together account for about 60 % of the wheat planted this winter . The United Nation 's Food and Agriculture Organization ( FAO ) issued an alert Tuesday , warning of severe wheat shortages , saying `` the ongoing drought is potentially a serious problem . '' According to the FAO the drought is now affecting an area of around 5.16 million hectares , representing two-thirds of China 's wheat production . Meanwhile the country 's capital Beijing got it first snowfall in more than three months overnight on Wednesday . But the precipitation is unlikely to end the area 's drought , reported Xinhua . The precipitation followed cloud seeding by the municipal artificial weather intervention office , the agency said .
NEW : This means the product will ship as received by the manufacturer, sealed, with all advertised components, and with the manufacturer warranty. Some 2.57 million people suffering from drinking water shortages . China 's capital goes 108 days without rain or snow , a 60-year record . Authorities seed clouds to try to end the drought .