BEIJING, Oct. 18 (Xinhua) -- The Ministry of Water Resources Wednesday activated a level-IV emergency response to flooding in three provincial-level regions in southern China.

The response was issued for Guangdong, Guangxi, and Hainan, said the ministry. It also sent two working groups to assist local flood prevention.

Typhoon Sanba, the 16th typhoon of this year, is expected to bring heavy downpours to the three provincial-level regions, said the ministry. Water levels of some medium-sized and small rivers in some coastal areas of Guangxi and Guangdong will rise with risks of flooding.

Efforts should be strengthened to ensure the safety of reservoirs and dikes and guard against floods in small rivers and mountain torrents, said the ministry.