Typhoon Chanchu to affect south China

People are busy reaping early rice

in Qionghai, southmost China's Hainan Province, May 14, 2006, ahead of the

coming of Chanchu. Chanchu, which means※pearl§, the first tropical storm

of the year that intensified into a typhoon and roared over the South

China Sea Saturday, will bring high winds and heavy rain to many parts of

south China in the coming three days, including Hainan Province,

meteorologists said Sunday.(Xinhua Photo) HONG KONG, May 15(Xinhua)-- A stormy week is expected from today as Typhoon Chanchu is heading north towards Hong Kong, the HK Observatory said on Monday.

Typhoon Chanchu, which killed at least 32 people in the Philippines and leaving thousands homeless, was gaining strength in the South China Sea and moving to the territory.

The observatory predicted that it will bring scattered squally showers on Tuesday and heavy rain with squalls on Wednesday and Thursday.

"The weather will get stronger and bad weather is expected to last from Tuesday to Thursday as the typhoon gets closer to the coastal areas in the South China Sea," said an official of the Observatory.

He said the weather will not improve until the end of the week. Enditem

Fishing boats berth in an inlet to

shelter from the wind in Haikou, capital of south China's Hainan Province,

May 14, 2006, ahead of the coming of Chanchu.(Xinhua

Photo)

Fishing boats berth in an inlet to

shelter from the wind in Haikou, capital of south China's Hainan Province,

May 14, 2006, ahead of the coming of Chanchu.(Xinhua Photo)