A heat wave with temperatures up to 40 degrees Celsius is forecast to hit most areas of China south of the Yangtze River on Sunday.

The Central Meteorological Station is predicting that areas of Guangdong, Hunan, Hubei, Jiangxi, Fujian, Zhejiang, Jiangsu and Anhui provinces and the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region will be hit by hot, dry weather with temperatures on average from 35 to 37degrees.

The highest temperatures in parts of Fujian, Zhejiang and Jiangxi will reach 38 to 40 degrees.

Meteorologists warn the public to avoid staying outdoors for long periods and to keep their homes cool and ventilated to avoid heatstroke.

(Xinhua News Agency July 14, 2003)