Dujuan had significantly weakened as it neared the coast of the Chinese province of Fujian, but it was still generating typhoon-force winds and rain heavy enough to cause flash floods.
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In Taiwan, flying debris was thrown about like paper, with gusts of wind so strong they knocked people off their feet, tore up trees and smashed windows. The stock, bond and currency markets will also remain closed all day. The storm has since moved on to mainland China, where it made landfall in Fujian province on Tuesday morning. No deaths or injuries have been reported. Several domestic and global flights and trains were also suspended.
Two people have been killed by a powerful typhoon which swept Taiwan on Monday night. Moving north-west at a weakening speed of 25kmh, it was forecast to reach Jiangxi province last night.
Nearly 3,000 people were evacuated Sunday from Taiwan’s Green Island and Orchid Island-popular with visitors.
Authorities have noted that mountainous communities are particularly vulnerable to mudslides due to the downpour.
The typhoon hit the eastern coastal regions during the highest tide of the year, which would intensify its effect, said Wang Weiguo, senior engineer working at the Central Meteorological Station on Tuesday.
At the height of the storm two million houses have been left with out electrical energy – on Tuesday morning 498,458 have been nonetheless with out energy.
In Hsinchu city, a crane fell from 20 storeys onto cars below but no one was injured, local reports said.
Fierce winds also caused damage at Taipei’s famous 101 skyscraper.
Meanwhile, American rock band Bon Jovi canceled its performances in the Taiwanese capital Taipei Monday and Tuesday because of the storm.
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In August, the Soudelor typhoon left at least eight dead in Taiwan and 21 in China.
