Vessels called back, flights canceled as Typhoon Sinlaku looms in South China Sea

A tropical depression strengthened into Typhoon Sinlaku at 3pm Saturday in the South China Sea, 20 km west of the coastal city of Sanya, south China's Hainan Province.

The provincial meteorological administration said Sinlaku would bring heavy downpours to southwestern and eastern parts of the island province from Saturday to Sunday.

The typhoon center is sweeping the southern coast of Hainan at a speed of 25 km per hour northwestward before heading to the Beibu Gulf.

The provincial emergency response department warned authorities in Lingshui and Sanya to call back vessels, as there will be big waves up to three meters high along the coast.

Ferry traffic at Qiongzhou Strait was suspended at 6 p.m. on Friday. Sanya Phoenix International Airport has canceled outgoing flights, while inbound flights have remained unaffected.