Shaoxing City in east China's Zhejiang Province has been experiencing spells of rain as Typhoon Chanthu approaches China. /CFP

The storm was downgraded from a super typhoon to a strong typhoon on Sunday evening and was expected to gradually weaken, according to Zhejiang authorities. /CFP

Moving northward at a speed of 20 to 25 km per hour, Chanthu will make landfall in or pass the coastal area near Zhoushan in Zhejiang Province on Monday afternoon, China's national observatory said. /CFP

Several highways have been closed or strict traffic curbs have been imposed in the province. /CFP

The water resources department has issued alerts of different tiers for cities to warn people to keep away from places prone to flash flooding. /CFP