Taiwan faces super typhoon after earthquake.

Lekima, classified as the strongest typhoon by Taiwan's National Weather Service, made landfall on the northeastern coast of the island late yesterday. The storm is moving north-northwest at 15 km/h from the waters southeast of Taiwan. Yesterday, Taiwanese authorities ordered supermarkets, offices, and schools to close today (August 9th) to avoid the typhoon making landfall. Many flights to and from Taipei (Taiwan - China) from August 8th onwards will be suspended.

Lekima will reach maximum wind speeds of 227 km/h as it approaches Taiwan. The Taiwan Meteorological Bureau warns of strong winds and heavy rain across Taipei, the northern port city of Keelung, and many northern counties. The mountainous northern regions of the island could experience up to 900 mm of rainfall, posing a risk of landslides.

Typhoon Lekima made landfall in Taiwan shortly after a powerful 6-magnitude earthquake struck off the northeastern coast of the island this morning. The earthquake caused power outages in more than 10,000 buildings and killed one woman.

More than 1,500 people in Taiwan, mostly tourists on the eastern island, have been evacuated to safety. After sweeping across Taiwan, Typhoon Lekima is expected to move into Shanghai, a city in eastern mainland China, later this week.

PV