CHANGSHA, June 21 (Xinhua) -- Northern and northwestern Hunan Province in central China have been struck by torrential rains since Wednesday, which have affected more than 400,000 people in seven cities and prefecture-level areas, including Xiangxi Tujia and Miao Autonomous Prefecture, and the cities of Zhangjiajie and Changde, the provincial water resources, meteorological and emergency management departments said on Saturday.

Average rainfall across Hunan since Wednesday had reached 68.5 millimeters by 5:00 p.m. on Saturday, with the rainfall across Zhangjiajie, Changde, Xiangxi Tujia and Miao Autonomous Prefecture and the city of Huaihua exceeding 100 millimeters. The highest cumulative rainfall of 664.5 millimeters was recorded in a township in Sangzhi County of Zhangjiajie.

The provincial meteorological bureau elevated its emergency response measures for meteorological disasters resulting from rainstorms from Level III to Level II at 6:00 p.m. Thursday.

The provincial emergency management commission also issued a notice on Thursday evening, stating that it had elevated its flood control emergency response from Level IV to Level III from 9:00 p.m. Thursday.

China has a four-tier weather warning system, with red representing the most severe warning, followed by orange, yellow and blue. The national emergency response system also has four tiers, with Level I being the highest.

Authorities have, notably, strengthened early warning and emergency notifications for key locations -- issuing 1.39 million targeted alerts and 16,000 text warning messages. These measures have facilitated the timely evacuation of over 95,000 residents from vulnerable areas.

According to meteorological and hydrological forecasts, from Saturday to June 23, heavy to torrential rain will occur in central and northern Hunan, with heavy downpours anticipated in southern Xiangxi Tujia and Miao Autonomous Prefecture, western Changde, central and northern Huaihua, and western Yiyang.

The province is expected to receive average rainfall of approximately 100 millimeters over the next week, with around 180 millimeters anticipated in the Lishui and Yuanshui river basins -- which significantly increases the risk of major flood events.

Local authorities have urged heightened vigilance for river flooding, mountain torrents and geological disasters, safety risks at small and medium-sized reservoirs, and urban waterlogging.