Danzhou City in south China's tropical island province of Hainan has issued a red alert for Typhoon Wipha, the highest in the country's rainstorm warning system.
Due to the powerful typhoon, Hainan is expecting strong winds and heavy rains until Tuesday.
The competent authorities in Danzhou have taken preventive measures on key areas, including major reservoirs, river basins and fishing ports, to mitigate possible losses caused by Wipha, according to Li Shengxian, deputy director of the Danzhou Emergency Management Bureau.
"We have particularly held a comprehensive round of discussions on strengthening preventive measures regarding the rivers and reservoirs in the vicinity, mainly focusing on water storage and floodwater discharge," Li said.
One large and three medium-sized reservoirs in the city have started releasing water, Li added.
By late Sunday, the discharge rate of floodwater in the city's Chunjiang Reservoir had increased to 250 cubic meters per second.
Meanwhile, more than 2,300 residents have been evacuated to safer areas.
China has a four-tier weather warning system, with red representing the most severe warning, followed by orange, yellow and blue.
South China's Danzhou City issues red alert for Typhoon Wipha
