The Shenzhen Meteorological Observatory upgraded its citywide typhoon alert from white to blue at 9 a.m. on Sept. 7 as Typhoon Tapah, the 16th typhoon of the year, approached.

A blue alert indicates that within 24 hours, the city is expected to be affected by a typhoon with sustained winds of Beaufort force 6 or above and gusts of force 8 or higher.

As of 3 p.m. on Sunday, Tapah was centered about 383 km south of Shenzhen over the South China Sea. It was forecast to move north-northwest at roughly 20 km/h, gradually intensify, and make landfall between Zhuhai and Zhanjiang in western Guangdong from the early hours to around noon today before steadily weakening. Under its influence, Shenzhen is expected to see a pronounced period of wind and rain today, which should ease the recent heat.

Railway authorities announced adjustments and suspensions to some services bound for affected areas.

Residents are advised to stay away from shorelines and avoid water sports, as storm surges may cause flooding in low-lying coastal areas this morning.