THE national observatory lifted the yellow alert, the third-highest in a four-colored warning system, for Typhoon Koinu at 6 p.m. yesterday, after it weakened to a tropical storm at 2 p.m. and then a tropical depression at 5 p.m. Typhoon Koinu, the 14th typhoon of this year, was located around 130 km southwest of Taishan City in Guangdong Province at 5 p.m. yesterday, packing winds of up to 15 meters per second near its center, according to the National Meteorological Center. The center said the typhoon was traveling southwestward at a speed of up to 10 kph, with its strength likely to gradually weaken. Affected by the typhoon, parts of Guangdong were lashed by heavy rain or rainstorms yesterday, while some coastal regions in Taiwan, Zhejiang, Fujian, Hainan and Guangxi experienced gales. Hainan had ordered the suspension of all ferry services in the Qiongzhou Strait starting at 2 p.m. yesterday as Typhoon Koinu were approaching. Typhoon Koinu is forecast to bring strong gales and heavy rain to the northern half of the island province from yesterday night to tomorrow, according to the Hainan Meteorological Service. This has prompted local authorities to issue a level-IV alert against the typhoon. (Xinhua) | 