BEIJING - China's national observatory issued a yellow alert for rainstorms Sunday, as heavy downpours are forecast to hit vast stretches of the country.

From Sunday to Monday afternoon, heavy rain and rainstorms are expected in parts of Shanghai, Jiangsu, Zhejiang, Anhui, Jiangxi, Hubei and Hunan, among other regions, the National Meteorological Center said.

Some of these regions will see up to 70 mm of hourly precipitation, accompanied by thunderstorms and strong winds, the center said.

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

The center advised local authorities to remain alert for possible flooding, landslides and mudslides, and recommended halting outdoor activities in hazardous areas.

Since June, continuous downpours have lashed large parts of southern China, and the waters of many rivers in the affected regions have exceeded warning levels.

China's Ministry of Water Resources has called for all-out efforts to prevent floods, and has dispatched teams to affected areas to facilitate flood prevention and control.