Typhoon Haikui: Taiwan evacuates thousands, cancels flights as storm approaches

Schools and offices have closed while weather bureau says storm has gathered strength and urges people to be ‘on guard’

Nearly 3,000 people have been evacuated from high-risk areas in eastern Taiwan ahead of Typhoon Haikui as authorities prepare for the first tropical storm to directly hit the island in four years.

Haikui – which had already brought heavy rains by Sunday morning – is packing a sustained wind speed of about 140km/h (39mph) and is expected to make landfall in Taiwan’s eastern Taitung area by 5pm (0900 GMT).