BEIJING, June 20 (Xinhua) -- China's national observatory issued a blue alert for rainstorms on Thursday, expecting heavy rainfall in several regions of the countrygsbslot.

Downpours are expected to hit parts of Chongqing, Guizhou, Hunan, Hubei, Henan, Anhui, Jiangxi, Zhejiang, Inner Mongolia and Heilongjiang on Thursday and Friday, the National Meteorological Center (NMC) forecastgsbslot.

There are areas in Chongqing and Guizhou that will see up to 120 mm of rainfall, while some places in these regions are expected to encounter over 60 mm of hourly precipitation, accompanied by thunderstorms and gales, according to the NMC.

Local governments have been urged to implement appropriate preparations and fulfill their related responsibilities accordingly.

Schools and kindergartens have been asked to ensure the safety of students, and drivers have been advised to exercise caution due to potential road waterlogging and traffic congestion.

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