China issues blue alert for rainstorms

BEIJING -- China's National Meteorological Center on Saturday issued a blue alert for rainstorms in multiple regions of the country, calling for precautionary measures.

From 8 am Saturday to 8 am Sunday, downpours are expected in parts of Shaanxi, Shanxi, Hebei, Shandong, Henan, Hubei, Sichuan, Chongqing, Guizhou and Yunnan, with up to 140 mm of rainfall in certain areas.

Some of these regions are likely to encounter over 60 mm of hourly precipitation accompanied by thunderstorms and gales, said the center.

The center has advised local authorities to take appropriate measures to prepare for rainstorms, impose traffic restrictions where necessary and evacuate people from risky areas.

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