昨晚9时40分，昆明开始下小雨，10时左右变大，持续一个小时。到昨晚11时左右雨水较大。

昆明下雨后，昨晚10时24分，距昆明市区约200公里的云南重要烤烟种植基地玉溪市新平县下起中到大雨。2分钟后，马路水泥地面上便有积水流过。这是该县自去年8月以来，老天爷第一次下了场解渴的大雨。

Rain brings relief to Yunnan province

The drought afflicting Southwest China's Yunnan province has been quenched by a downpour. According to the local meteorological department, the cloudburst has brought relief to several areas in the province. Meanwhile, armed police are helping residents cope with insufficient water.

Much needed relief for drought-hit Yunnan province.

Although it's not heavy, in the provincial capital Kunming the rainfall is bringing hope to people struggling for water.

A Kunming resident said, "I am very happy because of the rain. The drought has been lingering too long, making drinking water a big concern. I wish the rain could last longer."

The cloudburst brought heavy downpours to other places in Yunnan, such as Pu'er and Nujiang. Meteorologists say the rainfall is expected to last up to 36 hours.

But for many in the drought-stricken areas, the downpours won't totally ease their difficulty in finding sufficient water.

Here in this primary school in Shilin, most of the students haven't had a shower for three months.

A teacher said, "The pupils' hair is disheveled. A few of them are lucky to have their hair washed. Their hands, especially the boys' are dirty and black. "

Local armed police are lending a helping hand.

These vehicles are designed for soldiers to take showers. Now they serve as mobile bathing rooms to locals struggling to maintain their personal hygiene.

"I feel very comfortable now after having bathed.It's been too long since the last shower."

And the bathing water is also being cherished. After filtering, it will be used to water cattle and irrigate farmland, which locals hope will help them overcome the disaster.