China on high alert against storms Goni, Morakot

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2009-08-04 16:32

BEIJING: China's meteorological and disaster relief departments triggered emergency response plans Tuesday as two tropical storms moved toward the country's southeastern and southern coasts.

In a joint circular issued on Tuesday, the State Disaster Relief Commission and the Ministry of Civil Affairs asked governments in at least six provincial level regions to prepare for the approaching storms.

Guangdong and Hainan provinces and Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region in the south are forecasted to bear the brunt of the seventh tropical storm, Goni.

China Meteorological Administration (CMA) said on Tuesday morning that Goni is likely to land in coast areas from Hong Kong to Taishan, Guangdong, as early as at Wednesday noon.

The eighth tropical storm, Morakot, currently east of Taiwan, is also moving northwestward toward the mainland.

Strong winds, dangerous waves and heavy rains are expected in the South China Sea and costal areas in Guangdong, Guangxi and Hainan on Tuesday and Wednesday, said the CMA.

The civil affairs ministry asked local departments to keep on high alert for possible flooding and other disasters caused by rainstorms, while getting ready to evacuate affected residents.

Fishery companies and offshore aquatic farms in those area were also warned of the storm.

The ministry ordered three disaster relief centers in cities of Hefei, Changsha and Nanning to prepare tents and other relief materials.