Construction of the second phase of a project for bringing drinking water to more Tibetans and their livestock has begun in southwest China's Tibet Autonomous Region.

An official with the administrative office of the project said the second phase would cost 270 million yuan (about US$32.53 million) and, when completed it would benefit 270,000 people and 3.06 million head of livestock in 1,336 Tibetan villages.

There has been a serious water shortage in Tibet, where there are many high mountains and steep valleys, plus unevenly distributed waterfall. Many local residents have developed diseases from drinking untreated water for long time.

The official said 560 million yuan (about US$67.47 million) has been set aside for building the entire drinking water project, due for completion in five years.

The first phase of the drinking water project has just finished, benefiting 330,000 people and 3.89 million head of livestock in 1, 870 villages of Tibet.

(Xinhua News Agency November 4, 2003)