China Meteorological Administration (CMA) initiated level three emergency response to typhoon

At 11:30 a.m. on today, China Meteorological Administration (CMA) initiated a level three emergency response to typhoon Saola and severe tropical storm Damrey.

CMA urges its internal bodies and institutions concerned and meteorological departments of Fujian, Zhejiang, Shanghai, Jiangsu and Shandong to do a good job of meteorological service for prevention against the tropical cyclones.

The Central Meteorological Office of CMA issued an orange warning for typhoon at 10:00 a.m. on July 31:

At 10:00 a.m. today the typhoon Saola was centered about 390 km southeast of Hualian, Taiwan province with maximum wind force up to scale 12 near its center.

It is forecasted to move north by west at speed of 10 km per hour with gaining intensity and approaching eastern coast of Taiwan. It is likely to land on Taiwan or touch slightly over the northeastern coast of Taiwan at the night of August 1 or the morning of August 2. Then it will get close to the coastal areas from central Fujian to southern Zhejiang.

In the next 24 hours from 2:00 p.m. today, there will be strong wind with scale 8-10 affecting east of Taiwan. Near the center of typhoon, maximum wind force will be up to scale 11-14 with gust reaching scale 15-16. Bashi Channel, Balintang Channel, Taiwan Straits, northeastern and southern South China Sea, central-southern East China Sea, coast of Taiwan and coast of Fujian will see high wind with scale 7-8 and gust of scale 9-11. Most parts of Taiwan will see heavy rain or rainstorm and in the isolated areas of northeastern Taiwan there will be severe rainstorm. (Jul. 31)

Path forecast of the typhoon Saola in the next 48 hours from 8:00 a.m. on July 31.

Gale forecast in the next 24 hours from 2:00 p.m. on July 31 with light blue region indicating high wind with scale 7-8, navy blue for gale of scale 9-10, and yellow for wind scale over 11.

Editor Zhang Yong - China Meteorological Administration