The southeastern province of Fujian, a major victim of Typhoon Bilis, is on high alert as Typhoon Kaemi, the fifth of the year, approaches.

The provincial observatory has warned of rainstorms and strong winds of up to 72 km per hour across the province at 6:30 a.m. on Monday.

As of 5 AM on Monday, the eye of Kaemi was located about 460 km southeast of Hualien, Taiwan Province, and was moving in a northwesterly direction at around 20 km per hour, packing winds of 144 km per hour, according to the observatory.

The typhoon is estimated to hit northern Fujian or southern Zhejiang on Tuesday night or Wednesday morning, said the observatory in a latest report.

The provincial office for flood and drought relief has ordered all vessels to return to harbor by 8 PM on Monday and local governments have been advised to pay special attention to the safety of people living in the temporary shelters of coal mines and mountainous areas.

The office also asked local governments to boost patrols along reservoirs and dams in preparation for flooding.

At least 43 people have died and more than 3 million others have been affected in Fujian since July 14 when Typhoon Bilis struck.

(Xinhua News Agency July 24, 2006)