China's meteorological authorities on Wednesday forecast heavy rains in the nation's central and southern parts over the next three days.

The eastern parts of the Sichuan Basin, regions along the Yellow, Yangtze, Huai and Han rivers, and northern part of Guizhou province will see heavy rain and storms from Wednesday to Friday, the National Meteorological Center said.

Downpours are likely to hit the northeastern part of Sichuan Basin and the western and northern parts of Chongqing municipality during the period, with precipitation up to 150 mm, the center said.

Rains that have persisted in the Inner Mongolia autonomous regions and northeastern China will gradually weaken in the next three days, it said.

A heat wave will continue to scorch the southern parts of north China, including the western parts of regions along the Yellow and Huai rivers, regions south of the Yangtze river, the southwestern parts of regions along the Yangtze and Huai rivers and the central-eastern parts of south China from Wednesday to Friday, the center said.

Regions south of the Yangtze River will see temperatures up to 39 degrees Celsius during the period, it said.