Country braces for onslaught of major storms this week

Even though heavy rain didn't arrive at Beijing Capital International Airport as predicted by 5 pm, more than 600 flights were canceled or delayed because of intermittent thunderstorms on Monday.

Worse weather is predicted for the vast southern regions of China in coming days. Downpours are forecast to arrive on Tuesday and last until Thursday.

The national meteorological authority announced on Monday that rain would cover 1 million square kilometers, the widest area of storms this year.