BEIJING -- China's Ministry of Water Resources on Sunday activated a level-IV emergency flood response in Gansu and Qinghai provinces and Ningxia Hui autonomous region in the northwest.

Heavy to torrential rains are forecast in northeastern Qinghai, central Gansu and northern Ningxia on Sunday. Some tributaries of the upper Yellow River are expected to see rising water levels, with some small and medium rivers likely to exceed flood warning levels.

The ministry urged local authorities to closely monitor weather conditions and take measures to protect people's lives and property.

The ministry has dispatched two working groups to Qinghai and Ningxia to assist in flood control.