BEIJING, Sept. 17 (Xinhua) -- China's State Flood Control and Drought Relief Headquarters on Wednesday activated a Level-IV emergency response for flood control in southwest China's Chongqing Municipality and northwest China's Shaanxi Province, as heavy rainfall was expected.

According to meteorological forecasts, parts of western China, including these two provincial-level regions, are expected to see heavy rainfall from Wednesday through next Monday.

On Wednesday morning, the National Meteorological Center issued a renewed yellow alert, the third-highest level in China's four-tier weather warning system, for the anticipated downpours.

Notably, forecasts suggest that some areas in Chongqing and Shaanxi could see torrential rainstorms. ■