Tropical storm Haikui has strengthened into a severe tropical storm and is approaching the coastal area of east China’s Zhejiang Province, according to the National Meteorological Center.

The Center said that Haikui has entered the East China Sea and is moving northwestward at 15 kilometres per hour. The Meteorological Observatory of Zhejiang said that the storm will probably make landfall on the central part of the province.

It is expected that heavy rains will hit the coastal area of Zhejiang starting on Monday night. The Zhejiang provicial government has issued an emergency response calling for full preparation against the storm.