China has issued the highest typhoon warning as Typhoon Saola, packing winds of more than 200km/h, heads towards the southeastern coastline, threatening Hong Kong and major manufacturing hubs in nearby Guangdong province.
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Chinese forecasters issued a typhoon red warning at 6am (2200 GMT) on Thursday.
China's National Meteorological Centre said Saola, currently located about 315km southeast of Guangdong province, will move northwest across the South China Sea at a speed of about 10km/h, gradually approaching the coast of Guangdong before it slowly weakens in intensity.
Wind speeds at noon (0400 GMT) were clocked at 209km/h.
Saola is expected to make landfall along the coast somewhere between Huilai County, in Guangdong, and Hong Kong late on Friday, the centre said, adding the typhoon's forecast intensity could make it one of the five strongest to land in Guangdong since 1949.
As Saola approaches, Guangdong's Shenzhen city said it would upgrade the typhoon warning level to yellow - the second lowest - at 6pm on Thursday and suspend classes at nurseries, kindergartens, primary and secondary schools.
China Southern Power Grid said it was stepping up inspection of equipment and strengthening measures to prevent water leakage in basement power rooms.
China Railway has suspended several major train lines and Shanghai halted trains heading to Guangdong, according to local media.
Saola will also bring storm surges to coastal low-lying areas, The Hong Kong Observatory noted, estimating Saola was about 440km from the metropolis.
Heavy rainfall is expected in parts of Fujian and areas of Guangdong until Friday.
Downpours could be 100 to 220mm in some areas.
Saola's winds are also affecting Fujian province, where videos on social media showed waves crashing along the coastline.
The meteorological administration of Shishi City issued a typhoon blue warning.
Australian Associated Press
