BEIJING - Little rain is expected to fall in most parts of North and East China in the next 10 days, worsening the drought ravaging nine provinces and municipalities across the country, meteorological experts said.

Statistics from the National Climate Center on Wednesday showed drought had hit Hebei, Beijing, Tianjin, Henan, Shanxi, Shandong, Anhui, Jiangsu and Hubei with Shandong and Henan suffering severe drought.

The National Meteorological Center (NMC) forecast on Tuesday that in the next 10 days the drought will continue as no significant rain was expected in most parts of North China, while a cold front will bring snow or rain to most parts of South China in the next three days.