Heavy rain belt moves southwest

BEIJING - Heavy rains are expected to persist in parts of south China, while northwest China will likely receive showers or thundershowers over the next three days, the National Meteorological Center (NMC) said Wednesday.

Strong downpours will hit parts of Hunan, Guangxi and Yunnan provinces in the south, with precipitation expected to reach 50 to 80 mm on Wednesday, according to a statement by the NMC.

On Thursday, some areas of Yunnan province, as well as northeast China's Jilin province, will be pounded by torrential rains, with precipitation surpassing 100 mm, the NMC warned.

The NMC also forecast showers, lightning and thunder in parts of northwest China, including the Inner Mongolia autonomous region, over the next three days.

Typhoon Khanun, which recently landed south of the Republic of Korea's Jeju Island, will be heading north-northwest and weakening soon, according to the center.

Torrential rains have ravaged China's southern and central regions since July 11, leaving 30 dead and another four missing, the Ministry of Civil Affairs said Tuesday.