Beijing, Aug 7 (Xinhua) As typhoon Morakot gains momentum and churns toward China's mainland, provinces in coastal regions are busy bracing for its impact.

The first major typhoon of the season was located Thursday night at 23.3 degrees north and 126.7 degrees east, about 780 km away from Wenzhou, a major city in Zhejiang province, meteorological authorities said.

It was expected to land in the eastern Zhejiang or Fujian provinces between Saturday noon and Sunday morning.

In Zhejiang province 2,076 ships had returned to harbour by 3 p.m. while passenger liner services in Wenzhou and Taizhou cities were suspended.

More than 900 Chinese and foreign tourists have been evacuated from the resort Nanji Island, and measures taken in scenic areas near the coast to assist tourists.

Seventeen teams comprising 138 soldiers are preparing for emergencies, and working with local officials to ascertain potentially hazardous areas.

In adjacent Fujian province messages have been sent to mobile phone users, warning them to prepare for the typhoon.

Provincial flood control and drought relief headquarters ordered fishing boats and construction vessels to seek shelter in harbours before 6 p.