BEIJING, Jan. 18 (Xinhua) -- China has activated a national Level IV emergency response for low temperatures, rain, snow and freezing conditions in the provinces of Anhui, Henan, Hunan and Guizhou, according to the national commission for disaster prevention, reduction and relief.

The decision was made as a broad swathe of central and eastern China braces for severe winter weather from Jan. 18 to Jan. 21. Meteorological authorities forecast widespread rain and snow moving from north to south across the region.

Heavy snow is forecast in parts of southern Shaanxi, central and southern Henan, western Hubei, northern Hunan and western Anhui, while freezing rain is expected in parts of southern Anhui, central and southern Henan, western Hubei, Hunan, Guizhou and northeastern Chongqing.

Authorities warned that the cold weather is expected to affect a wide area, bring sharp temperature drops and feature complex precipitation patterns, raising the risk of low-temperature rain, snow and ice disasters in some regions.

The disaster relief commission has urged relevant departments and provincial authorities to heighten attention to key sectors including transport, electricity, telecommunications and essential services.