Authorities on guard for geological events amid heavy rain

Forecasts on Monday by meteorological departments and analysis from the Ministry of Natural Resources' geological disaster technical guidance center showed the risk of geological disasters in parts of Beijing and Hebei province remain high.

The ministry lifted the geological disaster defense response level from level IV to level III, the third-highest of the four-tier warning system, for the two regions on Monday afternoon.

Natural resources authorities must enhance risk awareness and prioritize geological disaster prevention and response in this round of heavy rainfall, the ministry said.

Affected by Typhoon Doksuri, heavy rainfall has hit Beijing and surrounding areas. The National Meteorological Center has continued to issue a red warning for heavy rain, the highest of its four-tier level warning system.