BEIJING - China's meteorological authority on Wednesday renewed a blue alert for rainstorms likely to linger in southern and eastern provinces.

From Wednesday to Friday, heavy rain is expected in Chongqing, Hunan, Jiangxi and Zhejiang provinces, the National Meteorological Center (NMC) said.

Parts of Zhejiang, Jiangxi, Hubei, Hunan and Fujian provinces will also see torrential rain, with precipitation forecast to reach up to 180 millimeters.

The NMC suggested people in these areas take precautions against possible mountain torrents, mud and rock flows and landslides.

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