A flood and geological disaster warning is in effect for the middle reaches of China's Yangtze River and Huaihe River valleys, due to the heavy to torrential rains forecast for Wednesday and Thursday.

The affected areas include Hubei, Hunan, Jiangxi, Anhui, Henan and Guizhou provinces, which should be prepared for mud-rock flows and landslides, according to the Central Meteorological Station of China.

Some of the above-mentioned areas will see storms, hurricanes or hail due to the interaction of strong, warm air flows from the southwest and cold air currents.

(Xinhua News Agency June 25, 2003)