China on top alert for ocean waves as Typhoon Meranti approaches

China's National Marine Environmental Forecasting Center (NMEFC) upgraded its warning for ocean waves triggered by Typhoon Meranti to "red" on Wednesday, the highest alert on a four-color warning system.

Gales and waves up to 12-meters high have been observed off the eastern coast of Taiwan, as the 14th typhoon this year moves westward and is expected to hit the coast of Fujian, Zhejiang and Guangdong provinces on Wednesday and Thursday.

The typhoon is expected to make landfall in Fujian and Guangdong on Thursday and the State Oceanic Administration has initiated a class-II emergency response, the second highest level.

Ships have been ordered to return to harbor and residents to stay indoors, according to the NMEFC. It also been advised that dams should be reinforced.

Li Mei, a meteorologist in eastern China's Fujian, said that Meranti is among the strongest typhoon to hit China in recent years