China issues blue alert for rainstorms

BEIJING-- China's national observatory on Sunday issued a blue alert for rainstorms in several provinces and regions.

From 8 am Sunday to 8 am Monday, torrential rains are expected to lash parts of Shaanxi, Shanxi, Hebei, Beijing, Tianjin, Liaoning and the Sichuan Basin, the National Meteorological Center said.

The center warned that certain areas of Beijing and Sichuan Basin will experience downpours.

According to the forecast, some regions are likely to see over 60 mm of hourly precipitation, accompanied by thunderstorms and gales.

The center advised the public to stay vigilant for possible flooding, landslides and mudslides, and suggested halting outdoor activities in disaster-prone areas.

China has a four-tier, color-coded weather warning system, with red representing the most severe, followed by orange, yellow, and blue.