World

Typhoon Gaemi barrels through Taiwan, killing two

By AAP Newswire

Jul 25, 2024

Keelung, Taiwan — Shelters were opened in Taiwan's mountainous centre and east that are prone to flooding. -EPA

Typhoon Gaemi has blown through northern Taiwan, killing two people, before heading across the sea and into China where it is expected to bring further torrential rain.

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Gaemi made landfall on Thursday on the northeastern coast of Taiwan in Yilan county. It is the strongest typhoon to hit the island in eight years and was packing gusts of up to 227km/h before weakening, according to the Central Weather Administration.

It is expected to bring further rain across Taiwan, with offices and schools as well as the financial markets closed for a second day on Thursday.

Trains will be closed, with all domestic flights and 185 international flights cancelled for the day.

Two people have died and 266 injured due to the typhoon, the government said. Taiwanese television stations showed pictures of flooded streets in cities and counties across the island.

Chinese weather forecasters said Gaemi will pass through Fujian and head inland, gradually moving northward with less intensity. But weather forecasters are expecting heavy rain in many areas as it tracks north.

Government officials have already prepared for a stretch of heavy rain and flooding - raising advisories and warnings in the coastal provinces of Fujian and Zhejiang.