Northern China is suffering prolonged dry conditions, though the weekend brought rain to many parts. Officials, however, warn the fight continues against drought.

Heilongjiang province is breathing a little easier with more heavy rain forecast in the coming two days. Things are also improving in neighboring Jilin province. As much as a meter of rain has fallen in some part of Liaoning province, filling reservoirs there. But officials say it's come too late for some crops.

Rain has also eased conditions in the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region. A lack of rain combined with high temperatures have severely affected 4.2 million hectares of crops in Northern China.

(CCTV August 20, 2009)