A cold front could bring some much needed rain to drought-hit areas in southwest China in the next two days, but the prolonged dry spell is forecasted to continue.

The National Meteorological Center says moderate to light rains would hit parts of Yunnan, Guizhou, Sichuan, Chongqing and Guangxi.

Temperatures will also drop by 6 to 8 degree Celsius in the nation's northwest areas. This comes as 20 million people are facing shortages of drinking water in southwestern China.

(CCTV.com March 30, 2010)