File photo: CGTN

BEIJING, July 27 (Xinhua) -- The Beijing municipal meteorological observatory issued a blue alert for rainstorms on Wednesday afternoon.

According to the meteorological observatory, from Wednesday afternoon to 8 a.m. Thursday, heavy downpours are expected to lash parts of the city.

The Beijing municipal flood control office also activated a city-wide blue alert for floods at 4 p.m. Wednesday.

China has a four-tier, color-coded weather warning system, with red representing the most severe warning, followed by orange, yellow and blue.