China's flood control authorities on Tuesday activated a level-4 emergency response against Typhoon Koinu to better cope with the gales and downpours that would hit southern and eastern parts of the country.

Typhoon Koinu weakened from a super typhoon on Tuesday night, according to the National Meteorological Center. It is expected to make its landfall somewhere along the coastal areas around the southern part of China's Taiwan Island or pass it without making landfall on Thursday morning and move west toward the eastern coast of Guangdong Province, with the intensity gradually decreasing.

So far, working groups have been sent to Guangdong and other places to help enhance preparedness.

In combating against the 14th typhoon of the year, the State Flood Control and Drought Relief Headquarters emphasized the need to strengthen forecasts and make early warnings so that offshore vessels and fishing personnel and those on offshore operation platforms could take shelter timely and stay safe.

Based on the country's flood situations during the autumn flooding season, the headquarters decided to maintain level-4 response for flood control in Hubei, Shaanxi and Sichuan provinces and Chongqing Municipality. Starting from Tuesday night, a new round of rainfall will hit these areas, with some parts to be hit by heavy rain.

Read more: China issues yellow alert for Typhoon Koinu

(With input from Xinhua; cover via CFP)