Ice covers over half of Liaodong Bay

More than half of Liaodong Bay in east China's Bohai Sea is covered by floating ice, the National Marine Forecasting Station reported on Wednesday.

The station issued its first blue-coded, or lowest level, alert this year after 52.68 percent, or 16,120 square kilometers, of the bay was covered, with its maximum outer edge at 69 nautical miles.

The station forecast that it is unlikely the situation will change in the next few days, but a new cold air front is expected to affect the region from Saturday afternoon.

In the next three days, the total area of ice could span from 65 to 75 nautical miles in the bay with average thickness ranging 10 to 20 centimeters. However, the thickest section is likely to reach 40 centimeters, according to the station's report.

The station warned the thick floating ice might crash into offshore platforms or shipping vessels, disrupting fishery, aquaculture and shipping operations.

It urged the local government and fishery and port businesses to take precautious and stay alert.