China on highest alert for ocean waves as Typhoon Sarika approaches

BEIJING - China's National Marine Environmental Forecasting Center on Monday issued a red alert for ocean waves and an orange alert for storms as Typhoon Sarika approaches.

Sarika, the 21st typhoon this year, is expected to make landfall in eastern coastal areas of South China's Hainan Province around noon on Tuesday, the center said.

From noon on Monday to noon on Tuesday, the typhoon is expected to bring waves of up to 12 meters in central and northern areas of the South China Sea.

Storm surges of up to 2 meters are expected in some coastal areas of Guangdong Province.

In China's four-tier severe weather warning system, red is the most serious alert, followed by orange, yellow and blue.

The National Commission for Disaster Reduction and the Ministry of Civil Affairs on Monday issued an emergency response to cope with approaching typhoons Sarika and Haima. Haima will hit Guangdong on Thursday.

The government urged local civil affairs departments to be on all-day duty and issue early warnings for citizens to minimize losses. It also advised residents in affected areas to store living supplies to last at least one to three days.

Rainstorms are expected in most of southern China over the next three to five days.