Taiwan braces for typhoon Fanapi

TAIPEI, Sept. 18 (Xinhua) -- Counties and cities in Taiwan are bracing for the approaching typhoon Fanapi, as the local meteorological department forecasts it will make landfall over the eastern part of Taiwan early Sunday morning.

Taitung, Yilan and Hualien counties announced schools were suspended as of Saturday night. Nantou county has evacuated some local residents living in danger areas in advance.

The Maokong cable car, the longest one in Taiwan has halted operations.

Tsengwen Reservoir, Taiwan's largest reservoir, has begun discharging water since Saturday noon, in preparation for heavy rains brought by Fanapi.

TransAsia Airways, Mandarin Airlines and Uni Air have announced the cancellation of some Sunday flights.

Some local farmers in Taitung County were racing against time to harvest crops, and fishing boats have returned to harbor.

The eye of Fanapi was 420 kilometers east from Hualien County, as of Saturday noon, according to the local meteorological department.

Taiwan will be prominently affected by Fanapi on Sunday and Monday, according to the forecast.

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