China Thursday launched an early-warning response to Typhoon Chanthu as it is believed the tropical cyclone could devastate parts of the nation's southern coastal areas.

The National Disaster Reduction Commission and the Ministry of Civil Affairs alerted civil affairs authorities in Guangdong, Hainan, Guizhou and Hunan provinces and Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, about the risks posed by Chanthu.

Chanthu, the third typhoon of the season, made landfall at the coastal area of Wuchuan City, southern China's Guangdong Province, at around 1:45 p.m. Thursday.

The ministry required local governments, particularly in areas previously hit by floods and landslides, and relevant departments to closely monitor the development of Chanthu and take action to alleviate disasters.

The ministry also ordered residents in severely affected areas to relocate, particularly those in port areas, on fishing farms on the sea, low-lying grounds, and places with dilapidated housing.

The ministry required storm shelters be open to the public well in advance.