Rainy weather forecast in South China

BEIJING -- China's southern areas are expected to see heavy downpours in the coming week, the country's meteorological authority said on Saturday.

Rainfall will sweep vast swathes of China's southern regions in the coming week, accompanied by thunderstorms, strong winds and hail, according to the National Meteorological Center.

From Saturday night to Tuesday, moderate to heavy rains are forecast to lash areas including parts of Guizhou and Chongqing.

Heavy rainfall will hit a larger portion of China's southern regions from Wednesday to Friday. Some areas will see torrential rain.

Meteorological experts urged the public to pay close attention to weather forecasts and alerts as the rain will gradually increase in the south in late March.

The public have been advised to take precautionary measures, such as keeping away from areas prone to meteorological disasters and avoiding outdoor activities during periods of heavy rainfall.