China's Ministry of Transport on Saturday launched a Level-II emergency response, the second highest of the four-tier system of emergency responses, after a series of earthquakes rattled southwest China's Yunnan Province and northwestern province of Qinghai.

Some sections of the highways near the quake-hit areas in Yunnan were damaged by falling rocks, causing traffic disruptions, while several bridges near the affected region in Qinghai collapsed, the ministry said.

The ministry is working with local transport authorities on damage checks and road repairs, it said.

The National Meteorological Center said the affected areas in Yunnan will mostly see sunny and cloudy weather on Saturday and Sunday, and warned potential showers starting Monday.