Hainan upgraded its flood control and typhoon emergency response on Sunday to Level III, the third highest of a four-tier system, requiring all its fishing boats to return to typhoon shelters.

Wipha, the sixth typhoon this year, has also caused the temporary closure of at least 52 coastal scenic spots in major cities in Guangdong.

On Sunday, many cities in Guangdong ordered a halt to production, construction and business till further notice, and also suspended classes.

Lin Lizhen, a resident of Zhongshan, said the gale was so strong that many pedestrians were swept along the streets by the winds.

Guangdong's department of water conservancy warned that some rivers in Guangdong's central and southern areas will experience increases of 2 to 5 meters in water levels, with some hydrological stations likely to exceed safety levels.

Cities affected by Wipha have been urged to introduce effective and concrete measures to prevent and cope with possible geological hazards, including landslides, torrential flooding, and the collapse of coastal, river or reservoir dikes, according to a statement released by the Guangdong department of water conservancy.

The department also warned that the cities of Enping, Yangjiang, Maoming and Luoding in western Guangdong were at high risk of mountain torrents in the days ahead.

The Guangdong Meteorological Service said that Guangdong's major cities in the Pearl River Delta and on the western coast are expected to be struck by heavy rainfall on Monday and Tuesday, with local torrential downpours.