BEIJING, Sept. 13 (Xinhua) — China on Tuesday morning initiated emergency response measures in readiness for the approaching Typhoon Meranti.

Local authorities in the provinces of Jiangsu, Zhejiang, Anhui, Fujian,Guangdong, Hainan as well as Shanghai, will closely monitor the typhoon and release information as it comes in, according to a circular released by the Ministry of Civil Affairs and the National Commission for Disaster Reduction (NCDR).

The NCDR has asked authorities in the areas in the typhoon's path to prepare aid and relief.

Typhoon Meranti will make landfall in south China's Guangdong or Fujian during the day on Thursday, meteorological authorities forecast.