Tropical storm Talim to batter E, S China

FUZHOU/HAIKOU - China's meteorological authorities on Monday night warned of gales and floods in the country's southeastern regions as a tropical storm is approaching.

Talim, the year's fifth tropical storm, is expected to hit at least two provinces on China's southern and eastern coasts between Tuesday night and Wednesday, according to a statement of the National Meteorological Center.

The storm, which evolved from a tropical depression at midnight, was about 230 km from the city of Wenchang in the southernmost island province of Hainan at 5 pm, the center said.

Talim is expected to bring strong winds and severe storms to Hainan, Guangdong, Fujian and Zhejiang provinces during the next 24 hours, which have already been ravaged by continuous torrential rains.

The center advised vessels to take shelter in ports or detour around the storm area.

The National Commission for Disaster Reduction and the Ministry of Civil Affairs issued a national early disaster warning on Monday afternoon to advise local governments in the areas likely to be affected to prepare for the approaching storm.

The two disaster relief authorities warned of possible floods and other disasters caused by the storm, and they urged local civil affairs agencies to closely monitor the tropical storm and issue early warnings to the public in a timely manner.

The tropical storm and the preceding depression have brought heavy rains to many parts of Fujian, which is located opposite Taiwan across the Strait.

The provincial flood prevention and control headquarters said 24 counties saw precipitation measuring between 25 and 50 mm, while another 10 counties received 50 to 100 mm of rain.

The weather bureau has forecast moderate to heavy rain in the province's cities of Zhangzhou, Xiamen, Longyan, Sanming, Nanping and Quanzhou. In the worst-hit areas, precipitation is expected to exceed 100 mm in the coming 24 hours.

Hainan province is also bracing for the tropical storm, with the weather bureau warning of heavy rain and high winds from Monday to Wednesday.

Civil affairs authorities are required to provide around-the-clock storm monitoring services and manage the evacuations of local residents.