China issues orange alert for severe convective weather

BEIJING, April 29 -- China's meteorological authority on Monday issued an orange alert for severe convective weather, forecasting thunderstorms, gales and hail as well as heavy downpours in some parts of the country.

From Monday evening to Tuesday evening, thunderstorms, gales and hail will sweep parts of Hunan, Jiangxi, Zhejiang, Fujian, Guizhou, Guangxi and Guangdong, according to the National Meteorological Center.

Torrential rain, with hourly precipitation exceeding 80 mm, will lash parts of Hunan, Guangxi, Guangdong, Jiangxi and Fujian, the meteorological center said.

The public has been advised to take precautions against the extreme weather conditions and refrain from outdoor activities, while local authorities have been asked to stand ready for emergency rescue efforts.

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