East and Southwest China can expect more rainstorms triggering possible floods, while the north and northeast can expect frequent showers that will ease drought in the two areas, the China Meteorological Administration (CMA) said yesterday.

South China, however, will continue to experience high temperatures this month, said Song Lianchun, a CMA official.

He also warned of an increase in the number of typhoons in the coastal areas this month.

"We forecast that four to five tropical storms or typhoons will be formed over the northwest Pacific and South China Sea, of which two or three may hit China," Song said.

He said local governments in the Huaihe River basin area in east China must brace for possible geological disasters caused by high precipitation.

He said south China should prepare for water diversion and dam water storage to combat drought this summer.

Barometers in most parts of the country are showing rising temperatures in the eastern part of northeast China and the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. There has been an increase of about one degree Celsius year-on-year, Song said.

Heavy rain hit many parts of southern China last month, triggering landslides and mud flows.

The inundation led to at least 155 deaths and affected the lives of millions.

Economic loss has been put at more than10 billion yuan (US$1.3 billion), according to Cheng Dianlong, vice-director of the State Flood Control and Drought Relief Headquarters.

Severe drought is gripping northeast China with about two-thirds of arable lands affected in Jilin and Liaoning provinces.

(China Daily July 3, 2007)