Authorities in Zhejiang and Fujian provinces have remained on high alert and stepped up measures to respond to Typhoon Saudel, the 18th typhoon of the year, by coordinating maritime safety efforts and staying ready for emergencies.

Typhoon Saudel made landfall along the coast of Yuhuan, a city under the jurisdiction of Taizhou, Zhejiang province, at around 8:05 am on Aug 28, according to the Zhejiang provincial meteorological observatory.

The typhoon packed maximum sustained winds of 35 meters per second (Force 12) near its center, with a minimum central pressure of 975 hectopascals. It brought heavy rain and rough seas to coastal areas.

The landfall marked the third time a typhoon has hit Yuhuan in 2026, following Typhoons Bavi and Dolphin, setting a single-year record for the city since recording began. The storm also coincided with an unusually high tide, brought upon by the combined positions of the sun and moon in the sky. The combination created a cocktail of strong winds, heavy rain, high waves, and rising tides.

Zhejiang raised its typhoon emergency response to Level I, the highest level, at 8 pm on Aug 27, according to Xinhua News Agency.

Maritime authorities in Taizhou stepped up monitoring of key waters, including sheltered anchorages, the Yueqing Bay Bridge, and offshore work areas, while keeping close watch on vessels taking shelter.

Authorities also issued regular warnings to vessels and deployed tugboats to assist with monitoring and emergency response. As of press time, vessels taking shelter in Yuhuan remained in stable condition, with no reports of anchor drags, collisions, or casualties.

Authorities warned that strong winds could shift after landfall and urged vessels to remain on alert. People who had evacuated from vessels were advised not to return until the danger had fully passed.

In neighboring Fujian province, authorities maintained a Level II typhoon emergency response and Level IV flood emergency response, according to a report from Fujian Daily.

Winds in the central-western and northern parts of the Mindong fishing ground, in the coastal waters off northern Fujian, are expected to reach Force 9 to 11, with gusts of Force 12 to 13, the report said.

Local authorities urged vessels operating in affected waters to return to port or move away from the storm's path, while warning of possible damage from strong winds and rain-related secondary disasters.