Beijing, Oct 5 (IANS): China's maritime authorities Saturday issued a high alert, as a typhoon named "Fitow" approached the land.

Fitow, the 23rd typhoon of this year, is expected to hit the East China Sea Saturday, reported Xinhua citing the National Marine Environmental Forecasting Centre.

The centre has issued an orange alert, the second highest level for a wave warning in China.

The typhoon is expected to bring waves as high as 12 metres in areas around the Diaoyu islands between Saturday and Sunday.

Waves might rise up to five metres in the north of the East China Sea and in the Taiwan strait, according to the centre.

It also warned of storm tides with water levels expected to increase by 90 cm in coastal areas of Zhejiang and Fujian provinces from Saturday night to Sunday noon.

The centre urged ships to remain cautious. It has advised coastal authorities to take precautionary measures, carry out patrols and make sure dikes and fishery facilities were secure.

China has a four-tier colour-coded weather warning system, red representing the most severe, followed by orange, yellow and blue.