China's central observatory issued rainstorms alert Wednesday morning as strong convective weather is expected to sweep across northern and western China today.

Strong convective weather including heavy rainstorms and strong wind is likely to hit Shandong Peninsula, southern Hebei Province, western parts of Sichuan Basin, and southern Shanxi Province, said the National Meteorological Center (NMC).

Heavy rains would help ease the drought-plagued regions, according to the NMC.

Disaster prevention work should pay attention to preventing rainstorm-triggered mud flows and landslides along Huaihe River, which has entered the crucial stage of flood control and is expected to experience heavy rains over the next week, said the NMC.

(Xinhua News Agency July 8, 2009)