China issues red alert as it braces for Typhoon Fitow

China has issued a red alert as it braced for Typhoon Fitow, with tens of thousands evacuated as the storm is set to slam the country's eastern coast soon.

Fitow, the 23rd typhoon to hit China this year, is forecast to make landfall between east China's Fujian and Zhejiang provinces tomorrow morning, the National Marine Environmental Forecasting Centre said.

China is on its highest alert for the second day today and has asked local officials to brace up for the approaching storm with water levels on the coast of Fujian and Zhejiang expected to increase by 2 metres.

The typhoon will create waves as high as 10 metres in the south of the East China Sea and the disputed Diaoyu islands, known as Senkaku in Japan.

The forecasting centre has ordered fishermen to return to port. Local authorities were asked to reinforce harbour facilities and repair sea walls to prepare for high tides.

Tourist sites on the shoreline will be closed.

Meanwhile, Chinese railways have taken measures for any possible adverse influence Typhoon Fitow may have on its operations. 

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