China issues geological disaster alert for rain-hit areas

BEIJING -- Chinese authorities on Friday issued a yellow alert for possible geological disasters triggered by rain in parts of Southwest China's Chongqing, Sichuan and Guizhou, and in Shaanxi in the northwest of the country.

The Ministry of Natural Resources and the China Meteorological Administration warned of risks of rain-triggered geological disasters in those regions from 8 pm Friday to 8 pm Saturday.

Residents have been advised to take precautions, especially in areas with hidden dangers.

China has a three-tier, color-coded weather warning system for geological disasters, with red representing the most severe warning, followed by orange and yellow.