China's National Meteorological Center on Monday renewed a blue alert for rainstorms, as heavy downpours are expected to lash parts of the country.
From 8 a.m. Monday to 8 a.m. Tuesday, heavy rains are forecast to hit parts of Sichuan, Chongqing, Gansu, Shaanxi, Hubei, Henan, Shandong, Heilongjiang, Jilin and Liaoning, the center said.
Some parts of these regions may experience heavy downpours, with maximum hourly precipitation surpassing 60 millimeters, accompanied by severe convective weather conditions such as thunderstorms and gales.
Scenery of Shexian County in Huangshan City of east China's Anhui Province. /CFP
Scenery of Shexian County in Huangshan City of east China's Anhui Province. /CFP
According to Min Yuqiu, a meteorological analyst with the China Weather Network, this turn of intensive rainstorms might become extreme and disastrous. The precipitation status in northern Hubei, southeastern Henan, northern Anhui, and northern Jiangsu are relatively rare compared to the same time period before, and the rainfall might break the records in the same period. Therefore, attention and precautions for disasters are needed.
Min points out that the rainfall is caused by the collision of cold and warm air which converge violently from Sichuan Basin to Huaihe River Basin, creating a cyclone which further escalates the intensity of rainstorms.
Currently, local authorities of Anhui Province are preparing for possible flood in Huaihe River and residential areas. The governors indicate they will make every effort to ensure the safety of people's lives and property, and strengthen the monitoring as well as forecast of flood in Huaihe River and residential areas.
(With input from Xinhua. )