Regions in southern China should expect relief from heavy rains which are expected to weaken Thursday, while drought will linger on in the country's northern regions, a weather forecast said Tuesday.

From 5:00 a.m. Monday to 5:00 a.m. Tuesday, torrential rains hit parts of southern China, including the provinces of Zhejiang, Fujian, Jiangxi, Guangdong and the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, according to a forecast by the National Meteorological Center (NMC) of China Meteorological Administration.

The rainfall exceeded 100 millimeters in some parts of those regions, according to the weather forecast on the center's website.

Rains will weaken and recede from south China gradually starting Tuesday evening and temperatures will rise in the south, said Yang Guiming, chief forecaster of the NMC.

"Precipitation in regions of southern China increased by 20 to 30 percent, on average, compared to the same period last year," Yang said.

Yang noted the pre-flood season featuring heavy, long-lasting rains has yet to hit South China.

In contrast, regions in northern China are suffering from drought as April rainfall fell by at least 50 percent compared to the averages of previous years, the forecast said.

The drought might be tougher as no effective rains are expected in north China this week, said Yang.

Experts suggest that relevant authorities should take measures to resist lingering drought.

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