Beijing issues blue alert for downpours

BEIJING - The Beijing meteorological center has issued a blue alert for heavy rains that have battered the city since early Monday morning.

The alert was issued at 9:55 am, almost eight hours after rainstorms began to lash the city. The center has predicted more rain for the rest of the day.

Although the rains have served to temporarily cool the city, temperatures are expected to climb to 34 degrees Celsius on Wednesday, as the rain is expected to stop on Tuesday, the center said.