Two rounds of heavy rain will hit north China this week, including Beijing, meteorologists said on Sunday.

The China Meteorological Administration (CMA) said the rain will help ease a drought in the region and aid crops. However, it also noted that steps should be taken to deal with possible floods, landslides, cave-ins of dilapidated buildings and traffic jams.

From July 1 to 10, heavy rain caused floods in 11 provincial areas, causing 3.1 billion yuan (US$443 million) of direct economic losses and leaving 32 people dead, according to officials.

As for the coming week, the affected areas will be in the northwest, north, northeast and east from Sunday to Wednesday, with thunderstorms or hail in some areas, the CMA said. Then, from Wednesday to Saturday, the eastern part of northwest China and regions north to the Huaihe River will see a round of rain.

Rain is also forecast in south China and the southwest Yunnan Province in the next three days.

South and southwest China could have temperatures as high as 37 degrees Celsius in the coming week, while the Turpan Basin in west China will be as hot as 43 degrees Celsius.

(Xinhua News Agency July 14, 2008)