BEIJING - China's meteorological authority Thursday issued its first red alert this year as typhoon Nesat has gained momentum on the sea near the southern island province of Hainan.

The National Meteorological Center (NMC) said Nesat was about 150 kilometers east of the city of Wenchang in Hainan province at 9:00 am Thursday, and is forecast to move northwest at 20 to 25 km per hour.

The typhoon is expected to make landfall on the area between Dianbai county in Guangdong povince and the city of Qionghai in Hainan province late Thursday.

Gales will slam the coastal areas of Guangdong, Hainan and Guangxi provinces over the next 24 hours, meanwhile rainstorms are expected to sweep Guangdong, Hainan, Guangxi, Hunan and Jiangxi provinces.

The Leizhou Peninsula in Guangdong and the north and west parts of Hainan are expected to experience torrential rainfall, according to the NMC.

The center also warned of flooding and mudslide risks in Hainan, as the province was recently been hit by typhoon Haitang. It urged people in typhoon-affected areas to cancel outdoor activities, and suggested that schools cancel some classes and large assemblies be banned.