The National Meteorological Center of China on Friday issued a red weather alert for typhoon Chan-hom, which is reported to be only 550 kilometers from the coast of Zhejiang Province. A yellow rainstorm alert has also been announced for several areas in southeast China as well as northern Taiwan.

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Typhoon Chan-hom has continued to gain intensity since meteorologist began to observe the storm as it moved over the Pacific Ocean since the beginning of the month. Experts say one reason why the storm has increased in intensity is because it is moving over ocean water that is warmer than average.

On Friday morning, the storm hit the Japanese islands of Miyako and Okinawa, uprooting trees and bringing a heavy rainstorm as extremely large waves poured inland. According to Tokyo Broadcasting System, up to 23 people were injured and nearly 200 evacuated as a result of typhoon Chan-hom.

In northern Taiwan, heavy rain and strong winds forced businesses and schools to shut down. ABC reported that at least three people have sustained injuries as a result of the storm.

He Lifu, National Meteorological Center chief forecaster, explained that besides growing in intensity, typhoon Chan-hom has also increased in speed (at about 20-25 kilometers per hour in top speed) and size. According to He, the presence of large amount of vapor in the intertropical convergence zone, where the storm was formed, has supported its rapid expansion.

On Thursday, Typhoon Chan-hom was upgraded to a super typhoon as it ventured closer to southern China. Meteorologists have cautioned local authorities in Zhejiang, Shanghai, Fujian and Jiangsu to prepare for the incoming storm and provide the necessary emergency services to the public.

Typhoon Chan-hom is expected continue moving northwest at about 20 kilometers per hour and make a landfall along the coast in Fujian and Zhejiang Provinces on Saturday. He revealed that the storm would bring heavy rainfall and gale. The effects of typhoon Chan-hom is expected to be felt in Zhejiang Province for up to 24 hours.  The province is expected to be hit with extreme rainfall measuring between 250-400mm this weekend.

Hundreds of flights have been cancelled in southeastern China over the past few days. On Friday, more airlines announced the cancellation of flights, Shanghai Daily reported. Others instructed passengers to check their flight status online before leaving for the airport. Meanwhile, train services have been shut down in the affected provinces. Vessels at sea have also been ordered back to the port and movement on the sea temporaily suspended.

CCTV reported that workers had abandoned their posts in Cangnan County, southern Zhejiang Province, as they scuttled away to find shelter before the typhoon arrived. Residents of the coastal city were reportedly nailing wooden planks to windows to prevent water from flooding their properties.

TagsNational Meteorological Center, Typhoon Chan-hom, Taiwan, Typhoon Linfa, Typhoon Nangka