BEIJING, Jan. 7 (Xinhua) -- China's national observatory has issued a blue alert for heavy rain in some southern and southwestern regions.

Until Tuesday evening, heavy rain is expected to hit parts of Yunnan and Guizhou provinces, and Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, the National Meteorological Center said Monday.

Some areas in Yunnan will be hit by up to 110 mm of rainfall within 24 hours.

The center advised local governments to keep alert to possible flooding, landslides and mudslides caused by heavy rain and recommended outdoor operations be halted in hazardous areas.

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