China issues alerts for rainstorms, mountain torrents

BEIJING -- China's meteorological and water resources authorities on Sunday evening issued alerts for rainstorms and mountain torrents in multiple regions of the country.

From 8 pm Sunday to 8 pm Monday, heavy downpours or rainstorms are expected to hit parts of Zhejiang, Fujian, Jiangxi, Hunan, Guizhou, Sichuan, Yunnan, Guangxi and Guangdong, according to an orange alert issued by the National Meteorological Center.

Parts of these regions may experience intense showers with maximum hourly precipitation surpassing 70 millimeters, accompanied by thunderstorms or gales, the center said.

The Ministry of Water Resources and the China Meteorological Administration issued an orange alert, saying mountain torrents are likely to hit parts of the aforementioned regions from 8 pm Sunday to 8 pm Monday.

Mountain torrents are highly likely to occur in some areas of southwestern Zhejiang and northern Fujian during the same period, according to a red alert for mountain torrents also issued by these two departments.

Local governments have been urged to implement precautionary measures and ensure the safety of people.

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