Rainstorms are drenching southern and western China. The country's meteorological authority has issued a blue alert for heavy rain in the south over the next few days.

Storms are expected to hit parts of Hunan, Guizhou, Guangxi, Guangdong, Jiangxi, Fujian and Zhejiang, with up to 180 millimetres of rain anticipated. Some of these areas will also see thunderstorms and gales. Central and eastern parts of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau in western China will also see rainy weather over the next 24 hours.

While people in the north are trying to survive scorching weather. Those in the south are suffering from gloomy days drenched in heavy rain. For some people in Hunan province, the storm has been disastrous. Electricity was cut off, farmlands were left inundated, and people have had to roll up their pants and wade through the muddy waters everyday.

"It's all flooded. Thousands of square kilometers were flooded this morning."

And moving westward. People in Xinjiang are also trapped in stormy weather. Authorities say that the precipitation there has hit a record high.

"In many regions of north Xinjiang, the precipitation is much higher than average. We have seen a two-time increase compared to the same time last year," said Xinjiang Chief Weather Forecaster Lv Xinsheng. 

And that has also resulted in a rapid fall in temperature.

"We must wear sweaters or coats, and warm pants in order to survive the coldness."

The cold and continuous rain has affected the cotton plants in the region, and the local government is taking measures to minimize the losses.

Authorities have also warned the public to take precautions against thunderstorms or hail in the next few days.