Rains will cool regions but raise flooding risk

Rainfall is expected to drench areas of northern China until Tuesday, bringing an end to the scorching temperatures but increasing the risk of floods in many rivers.

Forecasts from the National Meteorological Center show most areas in the country's northwest, north and northeast regions would experience showers or thundershowers for the next two days, with precipitation of up to 180 centimeters.

The rain will be brief but strong in some areas, with hourly precipitation of up to 50 millimeters, while several regions are expected to see strong winds and hailstorms, according to the center. Beijing was expected to see frequent thunderstorms, it added.