BEIJING - Heavy rain will hit south China during the three-day May Day holiday from Saturday, the national weather observatory has forecast.

Precipitation will be as high as 140 mm in Guizhou, Anhui, Hunan, Jiangxi and Fujian provinces, according to the National Meteorological Center (NMC).

Rain is also expected to sweep most of northeast China. Precipitation could reach 60 mm, said the NMC.

The observatory advised the public to stay away from mountainous areas in the rain and to take precautions against landslides.