HAIKOU - China's southernmost island province of Hainan maintained a Level IV typhoon alert on Wednesday after a tropical depression over the South China Sea had grown into this year's first typhoon in the morning.

According to the Hainan provincial meteorological bureau, the center of Typhoon Wutip was located about 165 km southeast of Yongxing Dao in the city of Sansha at 8 am on Wednesday. It was packing winds of up to 18 meters per second with a central pressure of 995 hectopascals.

Strong winds and rainfall have already affected Sansha, China's southernmost city, as it recorded a maximum rainfall of 108.6 mm and gusts of up to 18.7 meters per second between 8 am Tuesday and 7 am Wednesday.

READ MORE: China's island province issues alert for typhoon

Meteorologists forecast Typhoon Wutip to move northwestward at a speed of 10 to 15 km per hour, gradually strengthening as it approaches the southeastern coast of Hainan Island. It is expected to make landfall in the area on Friday.

In preparation, the provincial disaster prevention, reduction and relief committee activated an emergency response on Tuesday, advising authorities to strengthen inspection of reservoirs, urban drainage, tourism facilities and sites with hidden geological hazards. The committee also urged vessels and maritime operation platforms to take precautions against strong winds.

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China has a four-tier flood-control emergency response system, with Level I being the highest level.