Tropical storm Lionrock has made landfall on east China's Fujian Province. It has brought heavy rains and strong gales to southeastern China's coastal areas.

Lionrock crossed the coast at Gulei Town in Zhangpu County about 6:50 Thursday morning with wind gusts up to 83 kilometers per hour.

The weather system also brought torrential rain along the coast of Zhangzhou City.

The rain was the heaviest in Dongshan and Zhangpu counties.

Local authorities have ordered all fishing boats back to the harbor.

Yanh Tianfu, vice director of Zhangpu County, Futan Town, said, "We are keeping watch and patrol along the coastal areas to keep fishermen away from the seaside. We will guard it around the clock to minimize the dangers until they relieve the typhoon warning."

Up to 200 millimeters is expected to fall in the next 24 hours in Zhangzhou, Quanzhou, Xiamen and Putian cities of Fujian.

Local meteorologists have warned residents about mudflows and landslides that could be triggered by the tropical storm.

At least 160,000 people have been evacuated to safer places.

More than 50,000 fishing vessels have returned to shore.