Warning: Rainstorms still a threat

Beijing municipal authorities warned the public on Thursday that the regional storm that is expected to continue until Saturday may still pose dangers and suggested that people avoid rural and mountain areas if possible.

Cai Qi, the capital's Party chief, visited the city's flood control and drought relief headquarters on Wednesday night as the storm settled in. All departments should be prepared for this round of storms to ensure people's safety and the city's order, Cai said.

The Beijing Meteorological Service said the heavy rain will affect the Beijing, Tianjin and Hebei area as it sweeps from west to east. The strongest rain is expected to hit Beijing on Thursday night.