BEIJING, Aug. 22 (Xinhua) -- Chinese authorities activated a national disaster alert and response mechanism for Typhoon Hato Tuesday afternoon, to help local civil affairs departments prepare for relief work.
Civil affairs departments in several southern provinces should remain on duty around the clock, according to an urgent notice issued by China National Commission for Disaster Reduction, in coordination with the Ministry of Civil Affairs.` The notice asked local authorities publicize forecasts regarding Hato and its predicted routes to enable residents to move to safe places and ships to return to harbor.
The departments should inform residents in typhoon-affected areas to stockpile enough daily necessities for one to three days, said the notice, adding that relief materials and funds should also be prepared to guarantee the basic requirements of disaster-hit residents.
Hato is the 13th typhoon to hit China this year. It is forecast to make landfall in Guangdong Province Wednesday and then move west while losing strength.
