Typhoon pounds Fujian, forcing evacuation
By Bao Daozu (China Daily/Xinhua)
Updated: 2005-09-02 05:34
Typhoon Talim pounded East China's Fujian Province yesterday afternoon with strong winds and rainstorms after wreaking havoc in Taiwan.
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Soldiers brave strong winds and heavy rains to remove trees toppled by typhoon Talim on the streets of Fuzhou, capital of East China's Fujian Province, yesterday. [Xinhua] |
According to the Fujian provincial observatory, Talim slammed into the Putian region at 2:30 pm, with gusts of 126 kilometres per hour.
About 193,000 local residents were transferred to safety yesterday, following relocation of 286,000 people in the previous two days.
The typhoon has forced Changle International Airport in the provincial capital of Fuzhou to close, and affected 11 flights to another airport in Quanzhou.
Several inter-provincial highways were temporarily shut down.
The sea ferry service between Xiamen and Taiwan's Jinmen was suspended for the third time this year.
Earlier, Fujian authorities issued a top-level "black alarm," ordering boats into port and placing rescue teams on standby, according to Fujian Meteorological Bureau's website.
The provincial education department issued an order to close all schools in six coastal cities for two days.
Fujian television showed waves up to 10 metres high crashing against breakwaters in the fishing village of Ningde. The report said there were no immediate reports of casualties or damage.
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