Beijing issues blue alert for rainstorms

BEIJING -- Meteorological authorities in Beijing on Thursday issued a blue alert for rainstorms as the city braces for bad weather from Friday to Saturday.

The Beijing Meteorological Observatory issued the alert at 3 pm on Thursday. China has a four-tier weather warning system, with red representing the most severe warning, followed by orange, yellow and blue.

Heavy rains will sweep Beijing from early Friday to Saturday evening, with torrential rains expected in the city's western, northern and southern areas, according to the Beijing Meteorological Service.

Meteorological authorities have urged the public to guard against geological disasters, including the flooding of small and medium-sized rivers, flash floods, landslides and mud-rock flows.

Meteorological authorities in Hebei province, which borders Beijing, also issued a level-IV emergency response to rainstorms on Thursday. From Thursday evening to Friday night, eight cities and the Xiong'an New Area in Hebei are forecast to see 50 millimeters to 90 millimeters of precipitation, with some areas expected to exceed 200 millimeters.