Chinese coastal regions brace for typhoon Dujuan

Powerful waves roar over a barrier, scaring spectators along the Qiantang River in Hangzhou, Zhejiang province, Sept 28, 2015. [Photo/IC]

HANGZHOU - China's southeast is bracing for typhoon Dujuan as authorities order the cancellation of flights and evacuation of residents.

Dujuan, the 21st typhoon of the year, will reach Taiwan Monday afternoon and the coastal province of Fujian Tuesday morning, the National Meteorological Center (NMC) said in a statement. NMC renewed an orange alert for the typhoon on Monday.

In East China's Fujian province, Xiamen Airlines canceled its flights to and from Taiwan on Monday. Airports in the cities of Xiamen, Quanzhou and the provincial capital Fuzhou will cancel all flights on Tuesday.

Railway authorities in Nanchang city, capital of Jiangxi province, stopped selling tickets for Tuesday for around 85 trains that run through Fujian. Xiamen Ferry Company also said it will cancel all ferries starting Tuesday.

The typhoon will also bring gales, torrential rain and high waves to neighboring Zhejiang province. Residents are asked to stay indoors.

More than 80,000 people in four cities in the province have been evacuated and more than 25,000 ships have returned to harbor or safe waters, according to the provincial flood control and drought relief headquarters.

China has a four-tier color-coded weather warning system, with red representing the most severe weather, followed by orange, yellow and blue.