Floods, landslide and mudslide disaster alerts are in effect for central and southwest China's provinces, as torrential rains are forecast for the areas from Monday night to Tuesday.
A gas explosion caused by refitting of home gas pipes left five slightly injured and two rooms damaged in Shijiazhuang, capital of north China's Hebei Province, Sunday evening.
A senior official with the State Flood Control and Drought Relief Headquarters said Monday that from July 6 to 8, rainfall on the Huaihe River in east China will decline, but flood preparation must be stepped up during the respite.