China's central and provincial governments issued alerts on Wednesday as the country's first typhoon this year, Typhoon Wutip, is approaching the southern tropical province of Hainan.
Affected by Typhoon Wutip, the central and western waters of the South China Sea will see waves of over four meters high. Areas near the typhoon's path will experience high waves, while large waves are forecast along coastal areas of eastern Hainan Province and western Guangdong Province. Storm surges are also expected in the coastal regions of Guangdong, Hainan and Guangxi.
The National Marine Environmental Forecasting Center issued a 24-hour yellow wave warning and blue storm surge warning on Wednesday afternoon, urging coastal authorities to take precautionary measures against waves and storm surges.
The Ministry of Water Resources announced on the same day that Typhoon Wutip is expected to bring heavy rainfall from Thursday to Sunday. The ministry activated a Level IV flood prevention emergency response at 14:00 on Wednesday for six provincial-level regions: Fujian and Jiangxi in east China, Hunan in central China, and Guangdong, Guangxi, and Hainan in south China.
The State Flood Control and Drought Relief Headquarters simultaneously initiated Level IV emergency responses for typhoon prevention in Guangdong and Hainan, dispatching two taskforces to assist in local preparedness efforts.
Till Thursday morning, Hainan has recalled all fishing vessels to harbors, while Guangdong has ordered vessels in affected waters to return to ports and crew members to evacuate.
The Guangxi Maritime Safety Administration upgraded its typhoon emergency response from Level IV to Level III at 15:00 on Wednesday. Local maritime authorities are accelerating loading operations for oil tankers and other hazardous material vessels in ports. All 18 ferry routes and 37 vessels along Guangxi's coast will suspend operations by Thursday noon, with all operation personnel evacuated ashore.
China issues alerts, coastal provinces take precautions as Typhoon Wutip approaches
The Iranian government is focusing on public concerns and maintaining stable supplies of essential goods amid recent protests, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said in a televised interview on Sunday.
In the city of Karaj, northwest of the capital Tehran, daily life has largely continued as normal. A video filmed by a local resident on Sunday shows food stores open and grocery shelves fully stocked.
"This is the block near my home, and there are some food stores here. Daily life continues here. Last night we did not see many protests in Karaj. Right now the city is very safe. This is a grocery store close to my home. All the food is available; nothing is in shortage. Here are noodles and different types of beans. Here are dairy products, cheese, and yogurt. I also checked other grocery stores and didn't see any shortages. Everything is available," said local resident Ali Reza.
Iranian officials have described recent disturbances as acts orchestrated by the "enemy," including some carried out by well-trained and armed "terrorists." The incidents have caused casualties among security personnel and civilians, as well as property damage.
The Secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council Ali Larijani has directed authorities to severely punish the "terrorists."
Meanwhile, Iran's police chief Ahmad-Reza Radan said on Sunday that the police had raised alert levels and arrested several leaders of the troublemakers during the operations on Saturday.
President Pezeshkian noted in the interview that the normal demands of the Iranian people are reasonable and justified, but they must realize that triggering riots and carrying out terrorist acts are the enemy's attempts to undermine the country. He urged the public to remain vigilant.
Also on Sunday, Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf warned that Tehran would regard U.S. and Israeli bases and facilities in the Middle East as "legitimate targets" if Washington takes military action against Iran. His remarks followed media reports saying U.S. President Donald Trump is "seriously considering authorizing a strike" against Iran.
Iranian state media reported that at least 109 members of Iran's security forces have been killed in clashes since the protests began 14 days ago. Meanwhile, human rights groups based outside the country said the number of protesters killed has exceeded 200, though the figure could not be independently verified.
The protests initially erupted over a sharp depreciation of the rial and sweeping subsidy reforms. Iranian authorities have blamed the unrest on foreign-linked agents and sanctions imposed by the United States.
Iranian president says government focusing on ensuring supplies amid protests
