5 August 2011 Last updated at 10:13 ET

Thousands of fishing boats have been called back to harbour

China has put parts of its east coast on alert as powerful Typhoon Muifa approaches the country.

Muifa passed Taiwan on Friday and is heading for Zhejiang and Jiangsu provinces, close to Shanghai, saidChina’s Central Meteorological Office.

More than 7,000 fishing boats have been called back to harbour, as winds reached 162km/h (100mph), generating waves of 36ft (11m) out at sea.

Air travel faces disruption and coastal areas are preparing for evacuations.

China Southern Airlines has cancelled more than 140 flights to eastern China from Saturday afternoon while Shanghai-based China Eastern Airlines warned of a “severe impact” on services, reported AFP news agency.

An orange alert has been issued to ships and fishing vessels, China’s second-highest alert level, the meteorological office said.

Typhoon Muifa is expected to make landfall in China on Saturday night or early on Sunday.

to read more, go to:    http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-pacific-14420501