A car ride through a street in Shantou, south China's Guangdong province this morning (May 18, 2006) (Xinhua Photo)

Typhoon Chanchu, the worst typhoon on record to enter South China Sea in May, have landed in Nanao, Shantou city of south China's Guangdong province at about 1:20 am. this morning (May 18).

Nearly 327,000 people have been evacuated from coastal areas to safe places and more than 51,000 ships have returned to harbour, according to a Xinhua report.

Chanchu, which means "pearl", formed in the Pacific, about 550 km east of Mindanao island in the Philippines on May 9. It hit central Philippines on Saturday, killing at least 32 people and leaving more than 1,000 others homeless.

A tricycle rider wades through a flood-soaked street in Zhongshan, south China's Guangdong province May 17, 2006. Chanchu- the worst typhoon on record to enter South China Sea in May - is expected to make a landfall at Huilai and Raoping in southern Guangdong province. Almost half a million local residents have been evacuated under threat of swells, according to a Xinhua report. [Xinhua]

Strong winds packed by typhoon Chanchu raid crops in Shantou, south China's Guangdong province May 17, 2006. Chanchu- the worst typhoon on record to enter South China Sea in May - is expected to make a landfall at Huilai and Raoping in southern Guangdong province. Almost half a million local residents have been evacuated under threat of swells, according to a Xinhua report. [Xinhua]

Strong winds packed by typhoon Chanchu uproot a tree in Shantou, south China's Guangdong province May 17, 2006. Chanchu- the worst typhoon on record to enter South China Sea in May - is expected to make a landfall at Huilai and Raoping in southern Guangdong province. Almost half a million local residents have been evacuated under threat of swells, according to a Xinhua report. [Xinhua]

Strong waves smash into an embankment off eastern coast of south China's Guandong province May 17, 2006. Chanchu- the worst typhoon on record to enter South China Sea in May - is expected to make a landfall at Huilai and Raoping in southern Guangdong province. Almost half a million local residents have been evacuated under threat of swells, according to a Xinhua report. [Xinhua] 

Editor: Yan