BEIJING, Aug. 29 -- China's national observatory on Tuesday renewed a blue alert for Typhoon Saola, which is expected to bring gales and heavy rains to the country's eastern and southern coastal regions.

Typhoon Saola is moving in a northwesterly direction at speeds ranging from 10 to 15 kilometers per hour, and is expected to move into the northeast waters of the South China Sea on Thursday morning, according to the National Meteorological Center (NMC).

It is likely to make landfall on the coasts of southern Fujian to eastern Guangdong on Friday evening and Saturday morning, or to move in a southwesterly direction near the waters of eastern Guangdong, the NMC said.

Strong winds will hit the Bashi Channel, the Taiwan Strait and the coast of Fujian from 8 p.m. Tuesday to 8 p.m. Wednesday due to the typhoon, according to the NMC.

Heavy rains will lash parts of Taiwan Island from 8 p.m. Tuesday to 8 p.m. Wednesday. Some areas are likely to experience rainstorms, the NMC said.

The center has urged local authorities to prepare emergency typhoon responses and remain on high alert for possible flooding and geological disasters.