BEIJING — China's Ministry of Culture and Tourism has issued a notice to remind travellers to keep safe during the flood season, which is expected to last through August.

The ministry told travellers to pay attention to weather information and travel warnings about their tourist destinations, and avoid outdoor activities during thunderstorms.

It called on tourists to be cautious in avoiding natural disasters including landslides, rockfalls, mudslides and flash floods when visiting mountainous or valley areas.

It also asked travellers to prepare first-aid kits, commonly used medicines and survival food for outdoor tourism.

Since the beginning of the flood season this year, heavy rainfall has hit many parts of China, with warning-level floods hitting several rivers, the Ministry of Emergency Management (MEM) reported in mid-July.

China's north, northeast and southwest regions are expecting rainfall much heavier than usual, while heat and droughts are likely to hit southern China, according to the MEM.