Rainstorms to hit south China cities

Heavy rainstorms will batter the southern cities of Shenzhen and Guangzhou in Guangdong province, local meteorological departments said on Tuesday.

The meteorological bureau of Shenzhen issued a red alert for heavy rain, the highest level of the four-tier alert system. Precipitation in the city is expected to reach or surpass 100 millimeters.

The city has declared a state of emergency. Kindergartens, primary and middle schools have suspended operations.

The Shenzhen municipal meteorological bureau has warned those living beside hillsides of possible landslides.

On May 11, Shenzhen experienced its strongest rainfall since 2008, with 2,000 cars submerged and operations of more than 5,000 buses suspended.

The meteorological bureau of Guangzhou City, capital of Guangdong Province, issued a blue rainstorm alert on Tuesday as a strong thunderstorm hit the city. It also forecast that rainstorms will batter the city from Wednesday to Friday.

China has a four-tier rainstorm alert system, with red being the most serious, followed by orange, yellow and blue.