JINAN - Torrential rain forecast for the coming two days is expected to alleviate the severe drought plaguing Shandong province, local meteorological authorities said Tuesday.

Shandong has received little rainfall since May -- 72.5 percent less than average .

A total of 21.7 million mu (1.4 million hectares) of crops in Shandong are still suffering from drought even though rain drenched the province last week.

A total of 466,500 people and 52,600 head of livestock are suffering from drinking water shortages in the province.

The new round of rain, likely the heaviest this year, is forecast to sweep the province from west to east from Wednesday afternoon to Thursday night, the Shandong meteorological center said.