BEIJING, Aug. 19 (Xinhua) -- China's National Meteorological Center on Tuesday evening renewed a yellow alert for rainstorms as heavy downpours are expected to lash parts of the country.

From 8 p.m. Tuesday to 8 p.m. Wednesday, heavy rains are forecast to hit parts of Beijing, Tianjin, Hebei, Shaanxi, Shanxi, Liaoning, Jilin, Qinghai, Sichuan, Guizhou, Guangxi and Yunnan, the center said.

It noted that some parts of these regions could experience heavy rainfall, with hourly precipitation highs exceeding 80 millimeters, accompanied by thunderstorms and gales.

Local governments have been urged to make appropriate preparations, and to fulfill their related responsibilities accordingly.

On Tuesday, an orange alert for potential mountain torrents was issued by the Ministry of Water Resources and the China Meteorological Administration, highlighting high risks in parts of Qinghai.

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