BEIJING, May 20 -- China's southern areas are bracing for torrential rain in the coming days, China's national weather observatory said on Saturday.

The National Meteorological Center (NMC) forecast medium rainfall to strong downpours in Hainan Island, coastal Guangxi and Guangdong, and southwest Sichuan till Sunday morning, with precipitation of up to 120 millimeters and gales on some waters.

Then moving northward, the rain belt will affect central and northern regions, including Hubei and Hunan, and help ease heat waves that scorched northern provinces during the past week.

Some northwestern and northeastern areas, such as Gansu and Heilongjiang, are also likely to see medium to heavy precipitations.

The NMC warned local authorities and residents to take precautions against flooding and geological disasters.