The plum rain season in Changzhou ended on Monday, according to Changzhou Meteorological Bureau.

The city's plum rain season started on June 23 and only lasted 18 days � six days shorter than normal, the bureau said.

It is also drier than average, with 77.9 millimeters of rain, 72 percent less than normal years, according to meteorological data.

The plum rain season is caused by warm air from Southeast Asia, which results in a rain belt moving around the Yangtze River Delta region in June and July. As these months are the ripening period of plums, it is called the "plum rain" season.

The end of the plum rain season always indicates the hottest part of the year,sanfu, is ahead.

The bureau pointed out that the temperature will continue to be high, with the daily high temperatures reaching around 40 degrees Celsius on July 12 and 13.

The bureau has also reminded residents to stay hydrated to prevent heatstroke.