SHIJIAZHUANG, July 20 -- At least one was confirmed dead and eight others went missing, after heavy downpours began to hit north China's Hebei Province on Tuesday.

The Hebei Provincial Meteorological Bureau on Wednesday morning issued a red rainstorm alert, forecasting more heavy rains in the coming hours.

Red is the most serious in China's four-tier color-coded system for severe weather.

The one death and one missing were reported in Luluo Township, Xingtai City. While, seven others missing were reported in Handan City.

In the provincial capital of Shijiazhuang, 13 underpasses were waterlogged.

The maximum rainfall up to 500 millimeters hit Cixian County.

The provincial land resources bureau warned disasters of landslides and mountain torrents.