China on alert for typhoon Matmo

BEIJING, July 22 -- China is gearing up for typhoon Matmo, with parts of the country still recovering from typhoon Rammasun, the strongest to hit south China in four decades.

The National Disaster Reduction Commission and Ministry of Civil Affairs on Tuesday told local authorities to prepare for Matmo.

The typhoon, which was 570 km south-southeast of Taiwan's Taipei City early on Tuesday, is expected to continue strengthening as it moves north-northwest at a speed of 25 km per hour.

It is likely to hit eastern Taiwan on Tuesday evening, packing rainstorms and winds of up to 180 km per hour, according to meteorological information.

The mainland's Fujian, Zhejiang, Jiangxi and Anhui provinces will also witness rainstorms with precipitation as high as 300 mm.

The National Marine Environmental Forecasting Center warned that huge waves of seven to 12 meters will occur in the waters off Taiwan's east coast while waves of four to seven meters will be in the East China Sea, waters around the Diaoyu Island and the Taiwan Strait.

Central authorities told local civil affairs departments to closely monitor Matmo's route, issue early alerts and help with the relocation of people in the typhoon's path.

The maritime authority also suggested vessels sailing in these waters to adjust their routes and take shelter. Tourists in coastal regions have been told to change their itineraries.

The death toll from super typhoon Rammasun increased to 46 as of 9 a.m. Tuesday, with another 25 missing, according to the Ministry of Civil Affairs.