China's national observatory issued a yellow alert on Thursday, warning of downpours in some regions of the country.

From 2pm on Thursday to 2pm on Friday, heavy rains and rainstorms are forecast to hit parts of the provincial-level regions of Fujian, Guangdong, Guangxi, Hainan, Taiwan island, Yunnan, Guizhou, Chongqing, Sichuan, Hubei, Shaanxi, Inner Mongolia, Hebei and Beijing, the National Meteorological Center said.

Parts of Guangdong and Fujian are expected to experience torrential rains, with precipitation up to 300 millimetres, the centre added.

Some of the regions will experience short-term heavy rainfall, with hourly precipitation reaching 80 millimetres or more, accompanied by thunderstorms and gales.

The centre has advised local authorities to take precautions for heavy rainstorms and suggested that necessary drainage measures should be taken in urban areas and across farmlands.

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