Red wave alert maintained as Typhoon Utor nears

Maritime authorities maintained a red wave warning for Typhoon Utor on Wednesday, the National Marine Environmental Forecasting Center said.

Utor, the 11th typhoon to hit China this year, is expected to make landfall in south China's Guangdong Province from Wednesday afternoon to evening, the center said, adding that the typhoon will decrease in strength to a tropical storm.

Waves up to 5.5 meters high were monitored around the center of the typhoon early Wednesday. Waves up to 9 meters are expected to appear in the northern part of the South China Seafrom Wednesday noon to evening, the center said.

The center also said waves of 4 to 6 meters will appear on Guangdong's west coast, while waves of 3 to 4 meters will appear near its east coast.

Waves of 2 to 3 meters are also expected near the coasts of south China's Hainan Province and Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region. Ships in affected areas should take precautionary measures to avoid the waves, the center said.

A storm tide warning was also issued by center, with sea levels near coastal areas in Guangdong expected to rise from Wednesday morning to Thursday noon.

The center urged local authorities to halt commercial activity on the sea, as well as inspect and maintain sea walls and similar facilities in affected areas.

China has a four-tier color-coded weather warning system, with red representing the most severe weather, followed by orange, yellow and blue.