Taiwan has evacuated thousands of residents and tourists as "super typhoon" Dujuan headed towards the island, gathering strength on its approach to the east coast. Torrential rains and high winds are forecast across Taiwan from Monday afternoon, with landfall predicted around 15:00 GMT.
Almost 3,000 people, most of them tourists, were evacuated on Sunday from Taiwan's Green Island and Orchid Island - popular with visitors. About 4,000 more were moved on Monday in advance of the storm.
Eric Chu, New Taipei mayor, said the people were from vulnerable areas, including the hot spring town of Wulai, just outside Taipei.
"In areas that could become isolated during the typhoon, sufficient rescue and communications equipment will be deployed in advance. We hope residents can cooperate with us," he said.
Huge waves were already striking the northeastern coast by mid-day and fishing boats were called back to shore. Operation of ports and train stations will also be halted in the afternoon.
Taiwan's weather bureau on Sunday upgraded Dujuan to a "strong typhoon", its top category.
Other regional weather bureaus, including the Hong Kong Observatory, categorised as a "super typhoon" as it intensified to reach gusts of 227km per hour.
"The whole of the island should heighten vigilance against severe winds and torrential rains," a spokesperson for Taiwan's Central Weather Bureau said.
Wulai was hit hard by Typhoon Soudelor in August, with some residents unable to return home for weeks.
More than 24,000 troops are on standby for disaster relief and evacuations, with 100 shelters set up. Emergency response centres have been established in the north and east.
Japan's meteorological agency has warned it could cause waves up to 42ft high. The storm is on course to hit mainland China from Tuesday, but is forecast to have weakened by then.
Source: Aljazeera
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