China's National Meteorological Centre issued a yellow alert for Typhoon Pulasan on Sept 19. At 9 am, Zhoushan upgraded its typhoon emergency response to Level III, the third-highest level.

Typhoon Pulasan, the 14th typhoon of the year, was located approximately 400 kilometers southeast of Zhoushan at 8 am with a central pressure of 98,500 pascal and maximum winds near the center reaching Level 10. It is moving rapidly northwest at a speed of 35-40 kilometers per hour.

According to Zhoushan Meteorological Observatory, Pulasan is expected to make landfall along the coastal areas between Taizhou's Jiaojiang and Zhoushan's Putuo this afternoon to early evening as a tropical storm or severe tropical storm. It is expected to weaken gradually afterward.

Officers from local maritime authorities patrol maritime areas in Zhoushan, Zhejiang province. [Photo/Tide News]

Due to the effect of Typhoon Pulasan, all 72 maritime passenger routes in Zhoushan were suspended as of 8 am on Sept 19.

Zhoushan Maritime Safety Administration has enhanced patrols at passenger ferry terminals and in maritime areas, and has conducted thorough inspections of typhoon preparedness measures.

China has a four-tier emergency response system, with Level I being the most severe response, and a four-tier color-coded weather warning system, with red representing the most severe, followed by orange, yellow, and blue.