Typhoon Fanapi sweeps into Taiwan

A powerful typhoon has swept into Taiwan, closing schools and offices and disrupting transport.

Typhoon Fanapi made landfall near the east-coast city of Hualien with heavy rain and winds up to 198km/h (123mph).

Taiwan's Central Weather Bureau has warned of a risk of landslides in mountainous areas.

Last year more than 700 people were killed and thousands left homeless by floods and mudslides caused by Typhoon Morakot.

Fanapi - a category three typhoon - is forecast to reach the south-east of mainland China later on Sunday or by Monday morning.

TV stations aired footage of branches being ripped from trees in Hualien and a lorry overturned while driving along an exposed stretch of road.

Torrential rain and high winds were also reported in the capital Taipei and the southern city of Kaohsiung.

Train services and flights have been disrupted or cancelled and Taiwan's defence forces have deployed armoured personnel carriers in case of floods or other emergencies, local media reported.

Fire and rescue officials said that about 6,500 people in mountainous areas prone to mudslides were evacuated late on Saturday.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-pacific-11360782