BEIJING, April 21 -- China's Ministry of Water Resources issued a forecast on Sunday for massive flooding in southern Guangdong Province and renewed a level-III emergency response for flood control and prevention work there.

South China's Beijiang River in the Pearl River basin experienced its second flood of the year on Saturday evening due to heavy rainfall in recent days, according to the ministry.

Authorities say heavy rains will continue to lash parts of southern China, forecasting massive flooding in the Beijiang River.

The heavy rains triggered alarm floods in 44 rivers in the Pearl River basin, according to the ministry.

The Pearl River flood control and drought relief headquarters has sent notices to Guangdong, Guangxi, and Fujian to enhance early warning and promote flood prevention work for rivers and reservoirs.

Seven rivers in Guangxi also experienced alarm floods as of Sunday, according to local authorities.