China's coastal provinces brace for typhoon Sinlaku

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2008-09-14 09:12

FUZHOU -- China's coastal Fujian and Zhejiang provinces issued alerts on Saturday for typhoon Sinlaku, the 13th tropical storm so far this year.

Typhoon Sinlaku was expected to hit the northeastern part of Taiwan at Saturday night and land in the Chinese mainland on Sunday morning, bringing downpours and gales, according to Zhejiang Provincial Meteorological Observatory.

The center of Typhoon Sinlaku was 465 km from Wenzhou City of Zhejiang Province at 10 a.m. Saturday.

Fishing boats take shelter in the Jiaoshan Harbor in Taizhou, East China's Zhejiang Province September 13, 2008 as Typhoon Sinlaku approaches. Typhoon Sinlaku is expected to hit northeastern Taiwan Saturday night and land in the Chinese mainland Sunday morning, bringing downpours and gales. [Asianewsphoto]

Heavy rains were forecast in the northeastern regions of Fujian, middle and eastern parts of Zhejiang over the next two days because of Typhoon Sinlaku, and there could be torrential rains in some regions of Zhejiang.

The Fujian Provincial Administration of Ocean and Fisheries issued an alert urging all ships to take shelter in nearby bays.

China's State Flood Control and Drought Relief Headquarters said Saturday that two work teams had been set up to supervise the flood control. The headquarters also launched a level-two emergency plan.

In Fujian, more than 30,000 fishermen have been forced back to harbor.

The Fujian provincial government sent more than eight million mobile phone short messages to subscribers in the province, reminding them to keep a close eye the weather information and ward off the possible danger.

The eastern Shanghai, China's financial hub, issued a warning on Saturday, urging residents in the coastal areas to brace for the typhoon which is expected to bring heavy rains and strong wind in the following days.

The coastal Taizhou City and Wenling City in Zhejiang had already banned all ships from going to the sea for fear of the typhoon.

The Zhejiang provincial meteorological observatory issued a red tidal warning. It forecast waves measuring as high as six meters would be seen off the coast of southern Zhejiang.

All schools have to close over the next two days, said the Fujian Provincial Education Bureau, which also suggested teachers and students stay indoor for safety.