Tropical storm to whip mainland later today

By Chen Qian  |   2008-8-6  |     ONLINE EDITION

TROPICAL storm Kammuri is expected to hit the Chinese mainland between the cities of Zhuhai and Wuchuan in Guangdong Province this afternoon or tonight, the National Meteorological Center forecast.

The center issued an orange typhoon alert today. Thunderstorms were forecast to hit southwest Guangdong, northern Guangxi and eastern Hainan Province, Xinhuanet.com reported.

There will be strong winds along the coast of Guangdong and Hainan along with heavy rain in Fujian, Guangdong, Guangxi and Hainan.

The storm hit the Guangdong coast this morning and moved northwest at 15 kilometers per hour.

Heavy rain and strong winds have already whipped Guangdong and Fujian, the report said.

Meteorological experts warned people to postpone outdoor work and to be aware of potential flooding and landslides due to the storm, the report said.