Authorities in Zhejiang province have launched a typhoon emergency response as Typhoon Ragasa — the 18th typhoon of the year — moves closer to South China.

China's State Flood Control and Drought Relief Headquarters upgraded its emergency response to Level III on Sept 22 for Guangdong and Hainan provinces. The country maintains a four-tier typhoon response system, with Level I being the highest.

The Ministry of Emergency Management said Ragasa was located about 640 kilometers southeast of Yangjiang, Guangdong, over the South China Sea as of Sept 21, and is expected to make landfall between Zhuhai and Zhanjiang from midday to late Sept 24.

While Zhejiang is not in the direct path of the storm, its outer bands have already brought significant rainfall. Heavy to torrential rain is forecast through Monday in parts of Wenzhou, Taizhou, southern Ningbo, and eastern Lishui, with localized downpours in southern Wenzhou and Taizhou.

The impact will be compounded by a cold front expected to arrive on Sept 24, intensifying rainfall in coastal and northwestern areas of the province, including the Tianmu Mountains. Thunderstorms and sultry conditions are forecast to persist in parts of the province as subtropical high pressure extends westward.

The provincial flood control and typhoon response headquarters has urged local authorities — especially in Wenzhou and Taizhou — to monitor developments closely and implement safety measures. These include securing fishing vessels, suspending offshore projects and ferry routes, closing coastal tourist sites, and preparing for potential flooding in vulnerable areas.