台风韦森特袭击中国南部地区

Local authorities on China's Hainan Island have upgraded wind emergency response levels from four to three as Tropical storm Vicente has grown into a typhoon. The newly formed typhoon is currently approaching the island from the Northeast.

The Qiongzhou Strait between Guangdong province and Hainan Island has been closed for traffic since 6 pm on Sunday. Vicente developed into a strong tropical storm as it passed within 500 kilometers of Zhanjiang city in Guangdong.

According to local meteorological authorities, the maximum wind speed at its center could be as fast as 100 kilometers per hour. Vicente is expected to hit the coast somewhere between the city of Yangjiang in Guangdong and Lingshui in Hainan at Monday night.

Heavy rains and strong winds are expected to sweep through the coastal areas between Monday and Wednesday.