Tropical storms hit China about a week earlier than usual this year, Wang Zhihua, deputy director of the disaster relief and public service department under the China Meteorological Administration, said at a news conference on Tuesday in Beijing.

He said about six typhoons have formed in Pacific Ocean and South China Sea, with two landing in China since late June.

“A typhoon hit China about a week earlier than usual in late June and Rumbia, the second tropical storm, landed in Zhanjiang, Guangdong province, on Tuesday morning with the maximum wind speed reaching 28 meters per second,” Wang said, adding that the storm will influence more inland regions within the week.

Wang suggested local authorities in Guangxi, Guangdong and Hainan prepare for the potential geological disasters caused by rainstorms and residents avoid going outside and keep their windows and doors closed.