BEIJING — China's national observatory on Aug 30 issued a blue alert for rainstorms in parts of southwestern and northeastern regions.

From 8 pm on Aug 30 to 8 pm on Aug 31, torrential rains are expected to lash parts of Sichuan, Yunnan, Inner Mongolia, Heilongjiang, and Liaoning, among other regions, the National Meteorological Center said.

The center warned that certain areas of the Sichuan Basin will experience downpours.

According to the forecast, some regions are likely to see over 60 mm of hourly precipitation, accompanied by thunderstorms and gales.

The center advised the public to stay vigilant for possible flooding, landslides, and mudslides, and suggested halting outdoor activities in disaster-prone areas.

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