Typhoon Kaemi nears Taiwan, shuts Philippines

By Staff
|
Google Oneindia News

Taipei, July 24: Intermittent downpours soaked Taiwan's capital today and residents stocked up on food as typhoon Kaemi headed towards the island after shutting down financial markets, offices and schools in the Philippines.

As of 0730 Ist the centre of the storm was about 280 km southeast of Taiwan and moving northwest at 15 kph, with sustained winds of up to 137 kph and maximum gusts of 173 kph, Taiwan's Central Weather Bureau said.

The typhoon is expected to hit China's southeastern coastal province of Fujian on Wednesday, Xinhua news agency said, adding that Kaemi could cause more problems in already flood-affected areas of the country.

In Taiwan's capital Taipei, the government urged people to move cars from parking areas along the main rivers running through the city in case of flooding and television footage showed people stocking up on food.

Central and southeastern coastal areas were likely to see intensifying rain and wind from today afternoon, said the bureau, with the typhoon expected to make landfall tomorrow.

Key ports of Kaohsiung in the south and Keelung in the north were still operating normally.

The storm closed Philippine financial markets in Manila today as it moved across waters off the northern Batanes province, bringing heavy rain.

Schools in five provinces on the main Luzon island and the capital were also forced to shut.

Earlier this month, tropical storm Bilis killed more than 550 people in the Philippines, Taiwan and China in floods, landslides and other incidents.

China raised its death toll from Bilis to at least 530.

Strong tropical storms and typhoons frequently hit Taiwan, Japan, the Philippines, Hong Kong and southern China during a season that lasts from early summer to late autumn.

Reuters

For Daily Alerts
Get Instant News Updates
Enable
x
Notification Settings X
Time Settings
Done
Clear Notification X
Do you want to clear all the notifications from your inbox?
Settings X
X