[Photo: Nanfang Daily]

Typhoon Wipha, the 7th typhoon of this year is gathering strength, and is expected to make landfall in southern China by July 31 in the evening. In the coming week, Guangzhou will receive heavy rainfall and the temperatures will drop by 2℃, according to weather officials.

The China Meteorological Bureau issued a blue warning at 8 am this morning, announcing that the tropical cyclone reached the South China Sea, INVEST 92W, has been upgraded to typhoon level. The typhoon center is expected to move northwest at a speed of 15 to 20 kilometers per hour, gaining force, and making landfall on the coast between Dianbai, Guangdong and Wanning, Hainan Island between the night of July 31 and the morning of August 1.

After the landfall, it will slam Leizhou Peninsula and move into the Northern Gulf during the daytime on August 1. It may make a second landfall from southwest Guangxi to northern Vietnam on the morning of August 1 or 2 , and the intensity may gradually weaken after the second landfall.

Guangdong Province Meteorological Bureau forecasts that Shenzhen, Zhuhai, Jiangmen, Zhongshan, Yangjiang, Maoming, Zhanjiang will receive heavy rains from July 31 to August 1 and the highest temperatures will reach 30-32℃.

Typhoon Tips:

1.Keep monitoring the typhoon’s movement through your television, radio or the internet.

2.Sort out windows and potted plants. Close all doors and windows tightly before a typhoon and bring your potted plants inside so they don’t blow away.

3.Stay indoors in a safe area while the storm rages.

4.Stay away from places that will likely be inundated by rising water or waves such as beaches and riverbanks and stay away from landslide-prone areas.

5.Stay away from hanging wires and unstable structures such as damaged houses, bridges, ports near rough waters, etc.