BEIJING - China has issued an orange alert for sea waves to ships and fishing boats on the East China Sea as Typhoon Muifa approaches.

The orange alert is the second highest level alert in the four-level sea wave alert system.

In 24 hours, eastern parts of the East China Sea are likely to see waves of 6 to 9 meters high, said a statement from China's National Marine Environmental Forecasting Center Thursday.

Waters off Zhejiang Province and north Fujian Province will see waves of 1.5 to 2.5 meters, the statement said.

On Wednesday night, Muifa abated from a super typhoon to a severe typhoon, but it is still expected to be one of the most powerful typhoons to hit China in recent years.

It is likely to have a devastating impact on coastal areas, particularly in Zhejiang, Shanghai and Fujian.

Meteorological authorities in southeast China's Fujian Province said Muifa was located 1,000 km southeast of the provincial capital of Fuzhou at 8 a.m. Thursday and was heading northwest at a speed of 13 km per hour.

Local flood control authorities have recalled more than 5,000 fishing vessels back to harbor.

While meteorological authorities in Zhejiang forecast Muifa will very likely make landfall in the eastern part of the province Saturday night and cause significant damage. Warnings have also been issued to fishing boats in the area.

In addition, the Zhejiang Provincial Flood Control and Drought Relief Headquarters has ordered local authorities in seaside areas likely to be affected by the typhoon to prepare for timely evacuation of residents.