BEIJING, May 19 -- China's national commission for disaster prevention, reduction and relief on Tuesday activated a Level-IV disaster relief emergency response for Guizhou Province following severe flooding and geological disasters, according to the Ministry of Emergency Management.

A working group has been dispatched to the affected areas to assess damage and help local authorities ensure that the basic living conditions of those affected are maintained, the ministry said.

Heavy rainfall and flooding have struck southern and central China in recent days. Earlier Tuesday, the office of the State Flood Control and Drought Relief Headquarters also sent a work team to Guizhou to assist and guide flood control and disaster relief work, while three previously dispatched work teams are still working in key areas of Hunan, Hubei and Guangxi.

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