Over the next few days, parts of North and Northwest China are expecting to see heavy rainfall and a sharp drop in temperatures, raising concerns over the ongoing autumn harvest.

The National Meteorological Center issued a blue alert for heavy rainfall early on Wednesday, warning of significant rainfall and a drastic temperature drop in the coming days.

From Wednesday to Thursday, moderate to heavy rain with scattered downpours are expected across the northern Sichuan Basin, eastern Gansu province, the Ningxia Hui autonomous region, central and northern Shaanxi province, northern Shanxi province, and the southern and central parts of the Inner Mongolia autonomous region, as well as the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region.

This wet spell is forecast to persist from Friday to Monday as it moves eastward, affecting eastern Northwest China, the Sichuan Basin, central and southern North China, and the Huanghuai region, which covers areas between the Yellow and Huaihe rivers in central and eastern China.

Temperatures are expected to fall by 4 to 8 C, with some areas experiencing drops of more than 10 C. Cities such as Beijing and Shijiazhuang in Hebei province are forecast to see daytime highs barely above 10 C on Thursday — an unusually chilly start to October.

While northern regions brace for rain and cold, southern and eastern provinces such as Jiangxi, Zhejiang, Fujian, Guangdong and Hunan, as well as the Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region, are enduring scorching heat with temperatures exceeding 35 C. Some areas in Jiangxi, Zhejiang and Fujian may see temperatures climb above 38 C, according to the weather authority.

The stark contrast in weather comes at a crucial time for agriculture. In northern regions and the Huanghuai area, autumn crops are ready for harvest, while rice in the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River is entering the mature stage.

Persistent rainfall in some areas has already disrupted the harvesting and planting of rice and wheat, according to the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs.

To address the situation, the ministry has strengthened emergency support for agricultural machinery, particularly in the Huanghuai region, where prolonged rain has hindered harvesting progress. So far, 244,300 crawler harvesters and 1,986 mobile drying machines have been mobilized to assist in the swift collection and drying of autumn grains.

To minimize the impact of rain, farmers are advised to prioritize harvesting mature fields, drain waterlogged areas and extend the grain-filling period for later harvests. Proper drying and ventilation of harvested crops are also crucial to preserving grain quality.

In southern regions, where high temperatures may inhibit autumn planting, timely irrigation is recommended to maintain adequate soil moisture and ensure successful germination, the ministry said.

It added that it will continue to work with provincial authorities in Hebei, Shanxi, Jiangsu, Anhui, Shandong, Henan, Hubei and Shaanxi to coordinate emergency agricultural machinery and disaster response efforts, according to a notice on its official website.

Meanwhile, various provincial-level governments cautioned travelers to maintain awareness of poor weather conditions as they head home after the recent eight-day National Day and Mid-Autumn Festival holiday.