Rain due to hit northern China this week will help ease a drought, meteorologists forecast yesterday.

China's Meteorological Administration forecast two areas of heavy rainfall in the coming week. Through Wednesday, storms will hit the northwest, north, northeast and east, with hail in some areas.

From Wednesday to Saturday, the eastern part of northwest China, and regions north of the Huaihe River will see rainfall.

Forecasters issued an alert for possible floods, landslides, cave-ins of dilapidated buildings and traffic jams.

However, the rain may bring welcome relief to farmers struggling to raise crops during a drought, the administration said.

From July 1 to 10, heavy rain caused floods in 11 provincial areas, causing 3.1 billion yuan (US$443 million) of direct economic losses and leaving 32 people dead, according to officials.

Rain is also forecast in southern China and southwestern Yunnan Province over the next three days.

Southern and southwestern China could have temperatures up to 37 degrees Celsius this week, while the Turpan Basin in west China will be as hot as 43 degrees Celsius.

(Shanghai Daily July 14, 2008)