FUZHOU - Tropical storm Cimaron made landfall in China's Fujian province Thursday night, bringing heavy rain and strong gales.

Cimaron, the eighth tropical storm to hit China this year, landed in coastal Zhangpu County in the city of Zhangzhou at 8:30 pm, packing a wind speed of 72 km per hour, a Fujian provincial flood control office statement said.

The storm is forecast to weaken soon after making landfall but will bring downpours to Fujian's central and southern regions from Thursday night to Friday, according to the provincial meteorological center.

The provincial flood control office has warned regions to guard against floods, landslides and mud-rock flows.

Earlier, all 2,305 fishing vessels in Fujian were ordered to return to ports.