But Chanchu may also change direction towards Fujian Province or the Taiwan Straits, said Huang Zhong, the chief weatherman with the Guangzhou station.

Several cyclists ride through a bridge as strong waves rage in Zhuhai, south China's Guangdong province May 16, 2006. Typhoon Chanchu is barrelling towards southern China after claiming at least 41 lives in the Philippines and becoming the strongest storm on record to enter the South China sea in May. [Xinhua]

The cities of Shenzhen and Guangzhou in the province have warned small ships and fishing boats on the open seas to seek shelter.

Wang Yongxin, chief forecaster of Guangdong Marine Observatory, said Shantou in the eastern part of the province could be hardest hit.

Fujian and Hainan provinces were also braced for damage with the latter ordering a halt to sea and rail transport across the Qiongzhou Strait between the island and Guangdong.

In Shenzhen, local authorities issued landslide warnings at some high-risk places and were ready to evacuate people if necessary. Advertisement billboards in the city were either reinforced or removed.

Once signals of a strong typhoon or strong storm are sent, schools should suspend classes immediately and ensure the students go back home safely, according to education officials.

The city will open all temporary shelters during the typhoon period; and the government has advised people to stay at home, close windows and move flowerpots from balconies.

Chanchu, which means "pearl" in Chinese, swept over the Philippines last weekend, killing 37 people and destroying thousands of homes.