HANGZHOU, May 18 (Xinhua) -- Typhoon Chanchu, the strongest tropical storm at this time of year that has slammed southern China, is expected to arrive in the East China Sea Thursday evening, said a local observatory.

    The Zhejiang Provincial Observatory said the typhoon which has reportedly killed more than 30 people in Asia is moving northeastward.

    According to the observatory, the center of the typhoon is churning through the middle and southern areas of Zhejiang at the speed of 20 to 25 kilometers per hour.

    Chanchu, which means "pearl", is expected to bring heavy rainstorms to Zhejiang. Some places in the province will see strong winds measuring nine to eleven on the Beaufort Scale, the observatory said.

    The observatory also reminded governmental departments to get fully prepared for possible natural disasters like landslides and mud-rock flows, which can be triggered by rainstorms. Enditem