国内英语新闻:Heavy rain to sweep north China, Vicente nears southern coast

BEIJING, July 24 (Xinhua) -- Heavy rains are forecast to sweep north China in the next three days, with rainstorms expected in some regions, weather authorities said Tuesday.

Moderate to heavy rains are expected to hit the central and northern parts of north and northeast China from Wednesday to Friday, according to the National Meteorological Center (NMC).

Meanwhile, parts of Beijing, Tianjin, Hebei, Shanxi, Heilongjiang and Jilin will see torrential rains, the NMC said.

Meteorologists said the new round of rainstorms will be less intense compared to those over the weekend, but the previously affected areas could receive rainfall of more than 50 mm.

They suggested authorities in Beijing and Tianjin municipalities and their neighboring Hebei province prepare for the approaching rainstorms.

Rainstorms since the weekend have ravaged many parts of China, including the capital city where the heaviest rain in 60 years caused 37 deaths.

Torrential rain has swept through 17 provincial areas since July 20, leaving 95 dead and another 45 missing, the Ministry of Civil Affairs said on Monday.

Heavy rains are also expected in southern and southwestern China, as tropical storm Vicente nears the country's southern coast, the NMC said.

The eighth tropical storm this year is moving northwestward at a speed of 15 to 20 kilometers per hour, and is expected to make landfall over the coast of Shenzhen and Zhanjiang in Guangdong province Monday evening and Tuesday morning, the NMC said.

The strongest tropical storm to hit China so far this year will bring heavy rains to most parts of south China over the next three days and precipitation will exceed 50 millimeters there.

Parts of Guangdong, Guangxi and Hainan will see rainfall of 200 to 350 millimeters, the NMC warned.