Super typhoon Meranti slows down before it hits China, no casualties reported
The country has cancelled flights and train services, and evacuated tens of thousands as a precautionary measure.
Typhoon Meranti made landfall in China on Thursday, slamming into the city of Xiamen in the Fujian province. No casualties have been reported in China so far, though one person was killed when the storm hit Taiwan on Wednesday. The Chinese government has evacuated thousands of people and train and airline services in the country’s south have been cancelled.
Citizens of Xiamen stayed indoors as strong winds started blowing across the city. A 72-year-old local resident told CNN, “I have never seen anything so scary in my entire life.” The typhoon had slowed down as it blew past Taiwan, but was still strong enough to uproot trees and break windows.
When it arrived Taiwan, the typhoon was declared the strongest to hit the country in 21 years. Hundreds of thousands were left without power and water as winds of 370 kmph hit the country’s main island on Wednesday. At least five people were reported injured and there was widespread damage to property.