Heavy rain to sweep southwest, central China

Heavy rain will sweep southwest and central China in the next three days, while thunderstorms are forecast for northeastern regions, weather authorities reported on Monday.

Torrential rain, with precipitation of up to 180 mm, will hit areas along the Huaihe rivers and the Sichuan Basin, the China Meteorological Administration (CMA) said.

Inner Mongolia and other northeast regions are also expected to see rain and possible hailstones and thunderstorms.

By June 29, floods, gales and mudslides caused by rain this summer have killed 50 people and left 42 missing nationwide, according to the Ministry of Civil Affairs.

The CMA added that temperatures may climb to more than 35 degrees celsius in middle and eastern regions south of the Yangtze over the next three days.