BEIJING - Heavy rain that has killed at least six will continue to batter southwest and central China, the National Meteorological Center (NMC) forecast on Sunday.

Torrential rain will hit Sichuan, Chongqing, Shaanxi, Henan, Shanxi and Hebei from Sunday afternoon to Monday afternoon. The northeast part of Sichuan will see rainstorms with precipitation of up to 120 mm.

The NMC maintained a blue alert for downpours in the country's western regions, which have seen substantial rainfall in the past week.

So far, two people have been confirmed dead in Sichuan and at least eight are missing in Chongqing. Four people are dead and one remains missing in Shaanxi.

The NMC advised residents to stay indoors and brace for possible disasters.