Beijing, Feb. 5 -- China's meteorological authority issued a blue alert for a cold wave on Wednesday. Temperatures will plunge in most parts of the country over the next few days.

According to the National Meteorological Center (NMC), a cold wave is expected to move across China, causing temperature drops of 6 to 8 degrees Celsius in the Huanghuai region -- a geographical area that encompasses parts of several provinces, including Henan, Anhui, Jiangsu and Shandong -- and most parts to the north of the Huanghuai region.

The NMC said the temperature will decline by 4 to 6 degrees Celsius in most parts of the southern region.

In some regions, the temperature drop could exceed 10 degrees Celsius, it added.

The NMC also issued a yellow ...