Five people were injured and thousands were evacuated from Taiwan as Super Typhoon Meranti – the strongest tropical cyclone this year – bypassed the southern tip of the country on Wednesday, reported Reuters. The local observation centre there said this was the strongest gale it had recorded in its 120-year history, AFP reported. Winds reaching around 240 kmph were reported.

"The damage from Meranti will continue to rise as the storm slams the island," said emergency centre spokesperson Li Wei-sen. Meanwhile, China is preparing for the typhoon to make landfall in either its Guangdong or Fujian province on Thursday.

Trees are broken by strong winds on a highway between Pingtung and Kenting in Taiwan. (Photo: IANS)
A man walks past downed shipping containers at Taiwan's Kaohsiung Harbour. (Photo: AFP)
A broken road sign on a highway between Pingtung and Kenting in Taiwan. (Photo: IANS)
Vehicles are crushed by broken electric poles in Taiwan. (Photo: IANS)