Rescuers evacuate stranded residents in flood water in Tuojiang Township, Jianghua Yao Autonomous County, Yongzhou, central China's Hunan Province, June 22, 2022. (Photo by Jiang Linfeng/Xinhua)

China's State Flood Control and Drought Relief Headquarters launched a level-IV emergency response on Wednesday for flood control as severe rains are forecast to lash some areas of the country.

Heavy downpours are expected to hit some parts of southwest, northwest, east, north, and northeast China in the next three days, according to the country's meteorological department.

The administration urged local governments to make preparations for flood prevention work.

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