BEIJING — China's State Flood Control and Drought Relief Headquarters on Aug 17 launched a level-IV emergency response for flood control as heavy rains are forecast to lash northern regions of the country.

The emergency response was launched in regions including Beijing, Tianjin, Hebei, Shanxi, Inner Mongolia, Liaoning, Heilongjiang, Shaanxi and Gansu, as downpours are expected to hit some of these areas from Aug 17 to 19.

The headquarters urged relevant localities to strengthen their monitoring and early warning processes, and make preparations for flood prevention work.

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