The Ministry of Land and Resources warned the quake-hit region in Sichuan province to take effective prevention measures against potential secondary disasters triggered by expected rainfall before Thursday.

According to the statement released by the ministry on Tuesday, most parts of the country will experience rain from Monday evening to Thursday. Heavy rains are predicted in South China, while snowfall may hit western areas.

If strong rain hits the quake-hit regions, such as Lushan county, the risks of land and mudslides are “very high”, the ministry said in the statement.

The ministry urged land resources authorities in Sichuan, Guizhou, Yunnan, Tibet, Inner Mongolia, Jiangxi, Hunan, Guangxi, Gansu, Shaanxi and Qinghai to take effective prevention measures before Thursday.

If severe geological disasters occur or rainstorms hit, authorities should evacuate people to minimize casualties, the statement said.