The seventh typhoon to hit China this year, Yutu lashed the territory with squalls, disrupted transportation and knocked-down trees and telecom facilities.

Typhoon Yutu swept through Macao yesterday morning, disrupting air, sea and land transport.

Air flights were delayed at the Macao International Airport. Sea transport and helicopter service stopped between Macao and Hong Kong, and flooding was seen in some streets.

According to the Macao Observatory, the wind moved to the northwest at a speed of more than 20 kilometres per hour, accompanied by heavy rain.

The typhoon is forecast to continue strengthening today,menacing most parts of Guangdong and eastern Guangxi with heavy rains, according to the Guangdong Meteorological Information Centre.

Both the central and provincial governments have issued several warnings since Tuesday, calling for emergency preparations against the storm.

While keeping a close eye on the storm's movement, anti-flood fighters have put an emphasis on protecting the safety of residents.

Yutu, which means "jade rabbit" in Chinese, was formed on Tuesday morning in the ocean near the Northeast Philippines.

Moving west-northwest at about 20 kilometres per hour, it had swept through Macao, Hong Kong and Taiwan before bearing down on Guangdong.

(China Daily 07/26/2001)