CHINA’S national observatory yesterday renewed a yellow alert for Hinnamnor, the 11th typhoon of the year, as it is moving closer to eastern China.

The typhoon, observed on waters 245 km southeast of Zhujiajian Island in East China’s Zhejiang Province at 5 a.m., will proceed northward at a speed of 20 to 25 km per hour with slowly decreased intensity, the National Meteorological Center said.

Zhang Ling, the centers’ chief forecaster, said that chances are slim that the typhoon will make direct landfall in China, but that strong rain and wind will still affect coastal areas.

Some areas in Jiangsu, Zhejiang and Shanghai are expected to see moderate to heavy rains today due to the typhoon, with some regions receiving up to 80 millimeters of precipitation, according to the meteorological center.

Ships and boats have been urged to take shelter at harbors and relevant areas have been asked to prepare for rescue and relief work.

The typhoon is expected to batter coastal areas, according to the National Meteorological Center.

Ningbo’s education bureau mandated the suspension of classes at all primary and middle schools and kindergartens in the city yesterday, with the strength of the typhoon to determine the duration of the suspension. Elsewhere in the province, the Wenzhou and Zhoushan education departments issued similar notices.

(SD-Xinhua)