Typhoon Vicente lands in S. China

A woman braves strong winds at a street in Yangjiang city of Guangdong after Typhoon Vicente made landfall in the province on July 24, 2012. [Photo/Xinhua]

GUANGZHOU - Typhoon Vicente made landfall early Tuesday morning in Taishan city in South China's Guangdong province.

Around 4:15 am Tuesday, Typhoon Vicente made landfall in coastal areas near Chixi township, with wind speeds of up to 144 km per hour near its center, the provincial meteorological station said.

Vicente has brought heavy rains to coastal areas in Guangdong.

It is expected to move northwestward at a speed of 15 to 20 km per hour as it weakens, the station said.

Gales and downpours are expected to hit western Guangdong and the Pearl River Delta from Tuesday to Wednesday.

Seas off the coast of Guangdong, Fujian and Hainan provinces are expected to experience waves of three to five meters in height, according to a Monday forecast from the National Maritime Forecast Station.

It has warned local authorities and the public to take precautionary measures and intensify safety checks for fishing facilities.