Red alert for rainstorm issued in Hebei

North China's Hebei province, which neighbors Henan province hit hard by downpours recently, issued a red alert for rainstorms on Thursday morning, warning that some cities will continue to see heavy rains even past the key days, according to Hebei Meteorological Service Bureau.

It said the central and western parts of Handan and Xingtai cities, as well as the western and southern parts of Shijiazhuang experienced downpours and extraordinary rainstorms after the rain started around Tuesday.

Until Thursday noon, heavy rains will continue, with the accumulated rainfall at some places reaching 200 mm to 350 mm, and even 420 mm at certain points, the bureau said.

Another red alert issued for geological disasters in Hebei warned that some parts in the three cities face high risks of buildings collapse, landslides and debris flow.

The rains in Xingtai have already caused a landfall at a part of Taihangshan expressway on Wednesday night, with a mass of earth and rock falling down the slope of the expressway. Rescue work of guiding vehicles and cleaning the debris was carried out.

Shijiazhuang also suffered landslide at three expressway tunnels in early morning on Thursday -- Zhaibei tunnel and Liangjiefeng tunnel along Xibaipo-Fuping expressway, and Donggaojiazhuang tunnel along Xibaipo expressway. The third one resumed operation at 4:30 am. The tunnels are located in the western part of Shijiazhuang which is surrounded by mountains and hills.

No deaths were reported from the landslides.

The weather authorities in Hebei forecast that rainstorms will reduce to thundershowers and cloudy days starting on Friday.