BEIJING - Strong rain will hit Central and East China this Saturday and Sunday, easing drought in affected areas, the China Meteorological Administration (CMA) said Saturday.

The rain will hit parts of Shanxi, Henan, Anhui, Hubei, Hunan, Jiangxi, Guizhou, Shaanxi, Sichuan, Yunnan, Guangxi and Guangdong over the weekend, according to a CMA forecast.

The rain will be very strong and some areas may see record amounts of precipitation in comparison to previous years, the forecast said.

It is hoped that the rain will relieve the droughts that are currently being experienced in some parts of China.

Recent rain has alleviated droughts in Guizhou, Sichuan, Hubei, Yunnan, Shaanxi, Gansu, Ningxia and Henan, the State Flood Control and Drought Relief Headquarters said.

More rain in the coming days will also bring relief to drought-affected areas, the headquarters said.