BEIJING, July 30 -- China's National Meteorological Center (NMC) continued to renew a red alert, the country's highest weather alert, for rainstorms on Sunday evening.

From 8 p.m. Sunday to 8 p.m. Monday, heavy downpours and rainstorms are forecast in Hebei, Beijing, Tianjin, Shanxi, Inner Mongolia, Henan, Shandong, Guangxi, Hainan, Yunnan, Sichuan and Xinjiang, according to the NMC.

Some parts of these regions are forecast to experience heavy rainfall, with maximum hourly precipitation surpassing 70 millimeters, accompanied by thunderstorms and gales.

Local governments have been urged to fulfill their emergency and rescue responsibilities effectively.

The center has also suggested that assemblies, classes and businesses be suspended, and called for efforts to guard against possible disasters such as mountain torrents, landslides and mudslides.

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