Typhoon Haitang, which landed east China Tuesday evening, has trailed off significantly as it arrived in central China's Hunan Province Thursday.

The typhoon, which is named after a flower, has brought long-awaited coolness to the central province that is known as one of the major "heaters" in China.

Most parts of the province have reported moderate to heavy rain, and the weather report says the maximum daytime temperature is 28 degrees Celsius on Thursday, sharply down from 38-39 degrees reported at the start of the week.

The maximum wind scale in rivers and lakes in Hunan Province may exceed six (strong breeze), according to the report.

Li Zuxian, head of the provincial meteorological station, said the typhoon is doing more good than harm in Hunan Province. "It has brought down the searing temperatures and increased rainfall -- a boon to the locals, farmers in particular."

But he also warned flood control authorities and local meteorological services to be on guard against strong gales and mountain torrents, as the impact of the typhoon is likely to continue in the coming three days.

Typhoon Haitang has caused three deaths in east China's Zhejiang Province and affected at least 8 million people in Zhejiang and Fujian provinces.

(Xinhua News Agency July 21, 2005)