Tropical storm "Nepartar" is moving toward the island province of Hainan in south China at a speed of 25 km per hour and is possible to reach the province on Monday night, according to local sources.

Hainan provincial meteorological observatory said in a forecast Sunday that the eye of the storm would continue to move northwest and would finally form a strong typhoon on Sunday night.

Affected by "Nepartar", moderate rains will hit most of Hainan in daytime of Sunday, while winds rising to whole gale force is expected to whip the sea off the eastern and southern coasts of the province.

Local meteorological departments warned that local governments should make full preparations for possible disasters caused by the upcoming storm.

(People's Daily November 17, 2003)