Tropical storm Nangka, the fifth such storm this year, is to hit part of the South China Sea Sunday night, according to the latest forecast from the Central Meteorological Station Sunday afternoon.

The eye of the storm was located at 17.8 degrees north latitude and 117.4 degrees east longitude by 5 p.m., with fresh gales near the epicenter.

The storm will generate winds of gale force seven to nine in the northeastern and central areas of the South China Sea on Sunday night and Monday.