China's meteorological authority on Tuesday issued a blue alert for gales and downpours brought by typhoon Bolaven in parts of northeast China, the Shandong peninsula and Taiwan.

Heavy rains are expected to sweep the central and eastern parts of northeast China, as well as the eastern area of Shandong peninsula and the northern and southeastern parts of Taiwan on Tuesday and Wednesday, the National Meteorological Center said.

Some parts of Liaoning, Jilin, Shandong and Taiwan provinces will see torrential rains. Eastern Liaoning will be hit hardest, with precipitation in some areas expected to reach 250 to 280 millimeters, the center said.

It also warned that local governments should prepare for emergencies and guard against floods and landslides caused by the rains.

Chinese meteorological authorities use a four-tier color-coded weather warning system, with red being the most severe, followed by orange, yellow and blue.

(Xinhua News Agency August 28, 2012)