BEIJING -- China's Ministry of Water Resources on Thursday activated a Level-IV emergency response for flood control in nine provincial-level regions as heavy rains lash parts of the country.

The emergency response covers Jiangsu, Zhejiang, Anhui, Henan, Hubei, Hunan, Guangxi, Chongqing and Guizhou, according to the ministry.

The ministry has dispatched three work teams to Hunan, Hubei and Anhui to provide on-site guidance for local flood control efforts amid the heavy rainfall.

China's National Meteorological Center on Thursday renewed a yellow alert for rainstorms, forecasting torrential downpours in parts of Anhui, Jiangsu, Hubei, Hunan, Guizhou and Guangxi from 2 pm Thursday to 2 pm Friday. Severe convective weather, including thunderstorms and strong winds, is also expected in some of these regions.

Local authorities have been urged to strengthen real-time monitoring and early warning systems, ensure the timely evacuation of residents from high-risk areas, and take precautions against urban waterlogging, according to the ministry.

China has a four-tier emergency response system for flood control, with Level I being the most severe.