Authorities in Pingtan county are taking all sorts of protective measures against Matmo, the 10th typhoon to hit the Chinese coast this year.

A soldier helps a fisherman consolidate a fishing boat in Pingtan, July 22. [Photo/pingtan.gov.cn]

The local flood and drought prevention headquarters started a level 2 emergency response plan last night and held a work conference on preparations for the typhoon.

Matmo was about 565 km off Fujian's southeastern coast on Tuesday morning. It is gathering force as it moves northwest at 20 to 25 km/h with winds of up to 144 km/h at its eye, Fujian Meteorological Center reported.

The typhoon was expected to make landfall in Jinjiang or Ningde as early as Wednesday afternoon and will make a serious impact with gales and downpours.

Residents in prefabricated houses have been ordered to evacuate. A speed limit will be imposed on roads depending on the force of the winds. Local officials will step up inspections at water conservancy facilities.

The flood and drought prevention headquarters, the meteorological bureau, ocean and fishing sectors will stay on alert all day updating information on rain, river water levels and wind.

All passenger ferries stopped operations on Wednesday. 1,244 fishing boats have all returned to port, with more than 1,000 people being moved ashore.