BEIJING - Heavy rain is likely to batter most parts of eastern and southern China on Sunday, according to the National Meteorological Center's forecast.

Heavy rain is expected to hit the southern part of Beijing, the central part of Hebei province, the eastern part of Shandong province, the southeastern parts of Jiangsu and Anhui provinces, the northeastern part of Jiangxi province, the central and southern parts of Fujian province, the southeastern parts of Yunnan and Tibet.

Meanwhile, thunderstorms are forecast for Central China and southeastern China over the same period.

Experts warn of possible flooding, landslides, mud-rock flows and building collapses triggered by rainstorms in these regions.

In addition, heat will continue to scorch northwestern parts of the country, with temperatures climbing to 40 degrees Celsius in some area, according to the forecast.