Heavy rain to continue in nation's northern region

Zhang, the meteorological center's forecaster, said the low vortex system, a type of cold low pressure, brought abundant water vapor and unstable energy to the northern areas.

"The system that usually moves slowly is a favorable condition for rain to last long and accumulate in certain areas," she said.

The National Meteorological Center had issued a yellow alert for heavy rain and another alert for thunderstorms on Monday. A yellow alert is the third-highest of a four-tier system, with red being the most severe, followed by orange, yellow and blue.

The center said that when a yellow alert is issued, traffic management departments should take control measures based on road conditions and give traffic guidance. Other relevant departments should promptly clear drainage outlets.

It suggested that people avoid riding bikes or driving in the rain, and should shut off outdoor power sources in low-lying areas, refrain from outdoor activities in open areas and take care around dilapidated or damaged houses.

Meanwhile, for the next week in southern China, the Yangtze and Huaihe river regions are bracing for the summer's hottest, most sultry days, with little rain－a period that began on Sunday and could last for 40 days and bring temperatures above 35 C, the center said.