China's national observatory on Saturday renewed its orange alert for drought in many parts of southern China after witnessing the expanding drought-plagued area.

The sweltering heat will continue in Jiangsu, Anhui, Henan, Hubei, Zhejiang, Jiangxi, Hunan, Guizhou, Sichuan and Gansu provinces, Chongqing Municipality and Tibet Autonomous Region, with little rainfall expected, the body said.

It advised local authorities to take emergency measures against severe drought and said an emergency water supply should be arranged to guarantee drinking water for residents and livestock. Restrictions have also been ordered in non-manufacturing and service industries, and artificial rainfall should be used when necessary.

Meanwhile, in northern China, a blue alert has been issued for rainfall on Saturday morning, with heavy or violent rain expected in Shaanxi, Shanxi and Hebei provinces within 24 hours.

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

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