China's National Meteorological Center (NMC) Wednesday forecast rain or snow in most parts of China in the next few days, which could help relieve the severe drought in many provinces.

The NMC said northwestern and northern regions, areas along the Yellow River, Huaihe River and the Yangtze River, most regions south of the Yangtze and Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region could see light to moderate rain or snow from Thursday.

Some areas in Henan, Shanxi and Hebei provinces, which were severely hit by the drought, could see heavy rain or snow.

The severe drought has persisted since last October, said the NMC.