Thousands of people have been evacuated and domestic flights have been cancelled as Typhoon Haikui moves into south-eastern Taiwan, bringing torrential rain and strong winds.
Key points:
- Typhoon Haikui is the first typhoon to directly hit Taiwan in four years
- The Taiwanese government says 3,729 people have been evacuated
- Domestic flights were cancelled and ferry services were suspended
On Sunday, Typhoon Haikui made landfall in the mountainous and sparsely populated far south-east of Taiwan.
It is the first typhoon to directly hit Taiwan in four years.
Counties and cities in the region cancelled classes and a day off was declared for workers.
According to a statement from her office, Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen told a meeting of disaster management officials people should avoid going out and not go up mountains, to the coast, fishing or engage in water sports.
The fire department said two people were slightly injured when a tree fell on a truck in the eastern county of Hualien.
In Taiwan’s capital Taipei there were only sporadic rain showers.
Haikui is a much weaker storm than Typhoon Saola which hit Hong Kong and the southern Chinese province of Guangdong on Saturday.
The Taiwanese government said 3,729 people had been evacuated, mainly in the south and east.
On Sunday, Taiwanese airlines cancelled all their domestic flights and ferry services to the surrounding islands were also suspended.
There was less disruption to international flights, with only 41 cancelled for Sunday, the Civil Aeronautics Administration said.
The military has mobilised soldiers and equipment to help with flood relief and evacuation efforts.
After passing across southern Taiwan, Haikui is forecasted to enter the Taiwan Strait and head towards China.
Reuters