People save cultured mudskippers at Hongshan Village in Xiapu County, southeast China's Fujian Province, Aug. 9, 2009. Typhoon "Morakot" landed in Fujian Province Sunday afternoon. [Xinhua/Jiang Kehong]

The center issued the highest alert at 6 p.m. in response to expected rainstorms in these regions. It advised people to suspend work in the outside field and urged relevant governments to reinforce drainage of rain water in cities and villages while watching against disasters like flooding, landslides, and mud-rock flows.

The center also warned of possible flooding along waters near the Taihu Lake in Jiangsu Province, as downpour in the region could reach 100 to 130 mm.

NMC experts said Typhoon Marakot could remain very powerful for some time, and advised people in areas under its influence to stay at safe places and hide away from strong winds.

The shipping service between Xiamen City in Fujian and Jinmen in Taiwan which was closed Friday and stranded about 8,000 passengers, will be resumed Monday morning, local officials said.