China starts emergency response against typhoon

BEIJING - China activated an emergency response mechanism for potential damage from Typhoon Chan-hom and Linfa on Wednesday, urging local authorities to prepare.

The official website of the Ministry of Civil Affairs said Wednesday that the China National Commission for Disaster Reduction and the ministry has urged local authorities in Shanghai, Jiangsu, Zhejiang, Anhui, Fujian, Jiangxi, Hubei, Hunan, Guangdong, Guangxi and Guizhou to assign duty personnel for all hours of the day, carefully track the two typhoons and publicize early warning information in a timely manner.

In a circular, the office of the commission asked people in the areas affected by the two typhoons to stock daily necessities for one to three days, adding it will initiate emergency mechanisms for disaster relief if necessary.

Meteorological authorities forecast Linfa will move toward the coastal area between Guangdong and Fujian provinces. It will bring heavy rain or torrential rain in Fujian, Guangdong and Taiwan.

Typhoon Chan-hom is moving toward the coastal area of Zhejiang and Fujian. Parts of Zhejiang, Fujian and Taiwan will have torrential rain.