77,000 evacuated as Typhoon Haitang approaches
(Xinhua)
Updated: 2005-07-18 16:32

WENZHOU -- Wenzhou, a coastal city in east China's Zhejiang Province, has evacuated 77,000 people as Typhoon Haitang, which hit eastern Taiwan Monday morning, is approaching.

The provincial meteorological station of Zhejiang forecast on Sunday that Typhoon Haitang was to land the coast between the southern part of Zhejiang and the central regions of Fujian on Tuesday.

The station also predicted heavy rain in most parts of Zhejiang Province Monday night and Tuesday.

The Wenzhou city government held an emergency tele-conference on Sunday to tighten security and relocate people from 1,388 risky places that were prone to geological disasters.

The provincial government has also ordered flood control authorities to be on guard and minimize damages.

Last year, Typhoon Rananim caused the most destructive mud-rockflow since 1949 and claimed 47 lives in the city of Yueqing. The city, determined to draw a lesson from last year's tragedy, has arranged round-the-clock patrol at reservoirs and embankments and recalled all fishing boats.

Fujian Province on the southeastern coast has reported strong gales and heavy rain Monday and the provincial maritime bureau had called back all fishing boats by 11:00 am. The provincial tourism administration has told local travel services to suspend operation starting from Monday and banned all coastal hotels from receiving guests.