BEIJING, July 26 -- China's national observatory on Saturday continued to issue a yellow alert for rainstorms as heavy rainfall is expected in several regions across the country over the next 24 hours.

The National Meteorological Center (NMC) forecast that from 2 p.m. Saturday to 2 p.m. Sunday, heavy to torrential rain is expected to hit regions including Inner Mongolia, Shaanxi, Shanxi, Hebei, Beijing, Liaoning and Jilin.

Some parts in Inner Mongolia, Hebei, Jilin, Fujian and Yunnan are likely to experience heavy rainfall of up to 180 mm during the period, with thunderstorms and strong winds also possible in some areas, according to NMC.

It advised local authorities to make appropriate preparations and inspect the drainage systems in cities, farmlands and fishponds.

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