China renews yellow alert for drought

BEIJING -- China's national observatory on Monday renewed a yellow alert for drought, as multiple regions continue to experience a lack of rainfall.

Moderate to severe drought lingers in some areas of Zhejiang, Anhui, Jiangsu, Hubei, Chongqing, Sichuan, Hunan, Jiangxi, Guizhou, Guangxi, Yunnan, Fujian and Guangdong, according to the National Meteorological Center.

It said that extreme drought has hit parts of Hunan, Guizhou, Chongqing, Jiangxi, Hubei and Guangxi.

From Tuesday to Friday, parts of the southwestern, central, eastern and southern regions of China will experience moderate rains, with some areas expecting heavy downpours, the center forecast.

While the precipitation will bring some relief, drought-affected areas are advised to monitor the weather closely and continue their drought prevention and relief work.

The observatory has advised local authorities to utilize emergency water sources and ensure their water supply, particularly for residents, and warned of the risk of forest fires in some areas.

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