China's meteorological authority is raising the alert level for Typhoon Fanapi. The warning is now at the second highest level as the storm nears the country's south coast. The shortest route between the Chinese mainland and Taiwan, was closed at midnight Saturday and all tourist attractions in Xiamen were closed Sunday.

 

Gale force winds and rains hit Fuzhou, capital city of Fujian Province, Sunday. 37 flights from or to Fuzhou Airport were canceled.

More than 186-thousand people in low-lying areas along Fujian's coast were evacuated and 55-thousand vessels were sheltered in harbors as of noon Sunday.

The China Meteorological Administration, or CMA, says Fanapi will move west at a speed of 20 kilometers per hour. It will make landfall between Monday morning and noon and hit the coast between Guangdong and Fujian provinces.

Local authorities closed the shipping route linking Xiamen in Fujian Province, and Jinmen, in Taiwan on Sunday.

Fujian provincial flood control headquarters ordered all fishermen to stay away from the coast and all coastal construction was suspended.

Xiamen education authorities say primary, middle schools and kindergarten classes would be suspended Monday.

Neighboring Guangdong Province also issued an urgent circular to call back fishing vessels from coastal cities like Shantou, Chaozhou and Huizhou.

According to the CMA, the typhoon is expected to subside somewhat shortly after making landfall. Heavy rains are unlikely during the upcoming Chinese traditional mid-autumn festival.