BEIJING, Sept. 24 (Xinhua) -- China's national weather observatory on Sunday continued a yellow alert for rainstorms, as heavy rain is expected in eastern and southern regions.

From Sunday afternoon to Monday afternoon, heavy rain is expected in parts of Sichuan, Shaanxi, Hubei, Henan, Anhui, Jiangsu, Shanghai, Zhejiang, Hainan, Guangxi and Guangdong, according to the National Meteorological Center (NMC).

Precipitation is expected to be up to 140 millimeters in some areas.

The center warned local residents to reduce outdoor activities and take precautions against geological disasters, including flash floods and mudslides.

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