Continuous rain since the middle of November have relieved the drought in regions of east and south China as some areas in the Yangtze River Valleys have began to worry about too much moisture.

According to the Central Meteorological Station (CMS), 40 to 90 millimeters of rain was recorded in the valleys of the Huaihe and Yangtze rivers, as well as south China from November 15 to November 27.

Jiangsu, Shanghai, Anhui, and Fujian reported rainfall of between 110 and 200 millimeters in the 12 day period. Parts of Jiangxi, Hunan, Guangxi and Guangdong had similar amounts of rain.

Forecasts by the meteorological station say that overcast and rainy weather is likely to continue in east and south parts of China over the next three days.

Most parts in north China are expecting sunny weather over the next three days and temperatures are expected to drop in the region as well as northeast China, according to CMS.

Drought had hit many parts of east and south China over the past few months. Earlier reports said that since early September, a severe drought in eastern Shandong Province left more than 1.9 million people short of drinking water, according to local drought relief authorities.

South China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region has also been affected by a severe drought, which is likely to persist this month, according to water resources authorities.

(Xinhua News Agency November 29, 2006)