China's meteorological authority issued a yellow alert for rainstorms on Friday in anticipation of heavy rainfall in several regions of the country.

From 8 a.m. Friday to 8 a.m. Saturday, torrential rain will sweep parts of Henan, Hunan, Chongqing, Guizhou, Inner Mongolia, Heilongjiang and Jilin, according to the National Meteorological Center.

There are areas in Hubei, Anhui, Jiangsu, Inner Mongolia and Jilin that will see up to 180 millimeters of rainfall, while some places in these regions will experience short-term heavy rainfall with 80 millimeters or more of hourly precipitation, accompanied by thunderstorms and gales.

The meteorological center has advised local governments to implement appropriate preparations and check the drainage systems in cities, farmlands and fishponds.

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

(Cover: The water level of the Xiangjiang River sees a visible rise after days of heavy rains in Changsha, Hunan Province, June 20, 2024. /CFP)