Typhoon Haikui hits Taiwan as flights cancelled, workers told to stay at home

Taiwan suspended flights, rail transport and ferry services along with classes and outdoor events and urged workers to stay home on Sunday as Typhoon Haikui churned across the southern part of the island.

The typhoon made landfall in Taitung county on the Pacific-facing east coast at about 3pm (7am Irish time) on Sunday, bringing sustained winds of 96mph (154km/h) and gusts of 120mph.

The winds and driving rains forced in unsecured doors, uprooted trees and caused flooding in some low-lying areas. People sheltered in school gyms and public meeting halls.

There appeared to be little serious damage and some shops stayed open, partly to dispose of locally grown fruits and vegetables that would otherwise go to waste.

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Among events cancelled in Taiwan were a hot-air balloon festival in the central Taichung region, several outdoor concerts, art events and a baseball game. National parks and treacherous roads in the island’s mountainous centre were also shut.

Haikui was expected to continue towards China after crossing over Taiwan, and authorities in the Chinese city of Shantou in Guangdong province were advising residents to take precautions.

Haikui’s arrival came as Typhoon Saola continued to weaken while swirling along the Chinese coast, where 900,000 people and 80,000 fishing vessels had been moved to safety. Most of Hong Kong and parts of the coastal mainland had suspended business, transport and classes.

Damage appeared to be minimal, however, and restrictions had largely been lifted by Sunday. On Saturday night, the Hong Kong Observatory had cancelled all warnings. – AP