Heavy rains will sweep northern China and lower temperature in the next four to five days, China's central meteorological station forecast Monday.

The rain belt has now shifted from the Huaihe River valleys to the northwest and north parts of the country, according to the station.

Drizzle and moderate rains are forecast on July 15-16 for the west part of Xinjiang, the central and east parts of Tibet, the east part of northwest China, most of northeast China, and the west and south parts of north China.

Notably, the northeastern part of Sichuan, the central and southern parts of Shaanxi, the east and south parts of Gansu and the southern part of Ningxia will be hit by heavy rains, rainstorms or even hails in the next two days, the station said.

(People's Daily July 15, 2003)