By Xinhua,
Fuzhou (China) : Fujian and Zhejiang provinces in east China have evacuated some 200,000 people from low-lying coastal regions as typhoon Sinlaku looked likely to move towards the two provinces after it pounded Taiwan early Sunday morning.
The observatory sounded a second-degree weather warning for Fujian, forecasting winds close to hurricane force and heavy rains in the sea area of the Taiwan Straits Sunday and Monday.
Sinlaku is the 13th tropical storm this year. The flood control department in Zhejiang warned that Sinlaku could cause widespread damage along its possible course through Ningbo, Taizhou and Wenzhou cities as well as the Zhoushan Islands.
The provincial fisheries bureau has called 29,899 fishing boats to shore, and evacuated 147,181 people to safe places.
Local authorities have urged all coastal tourism spots to shut down business, and persuade tourists to stay in safe places or return home.
In Fujian, more than 30,000 fishermen returned Saturday.