BEIJING — China's State Flood Control and Drought Relief Headquarters has initiated a Level IV emergency response for flood control in some northern regions of the country, the Ministry of Emergency Management said on July 11.

The emergency response was launched for six provincial-level regions, including Hebei, Gansu, Inner Mongolia, and Shandong, as downpours are expected in these areas from July 11 to 13.

China's national observatory issued a blue alert for rainstorms on July 10, forecasting that Inner Mongolia, Shaanxi, and other regions may experience up to 120 millimeters of rainfall.

The headquarters urged local authorities to strengthen monitoring and forecasts, and stay alert for possible flooding, landslides, and mudslides.

China has a four-tier flood control emergency response system, with Level I being the most severe response.