- Title: Heavy winds hit Taipei just as Typhoon Megi make landfall
- Date: 27th September 2016
- Summary: TAIPEI, TAIWAN (SEPTEMBER 27, 2016) (REUTERS) SCAFFOLDING ON HIGH RISE PEDESTRIANS CROSSING STREET IN HEAVY RAIN VARIOUS OF PEDESTRIANS WALKING IN STRONG WIND AND SHELTERING FROM WIND VARIOUS OF PEDESTRIANS SHELTERING FROM WIND IN BUILDING ENTRANCE PEDESTRIANS SEEKING COVER FROM WIND AND RAIN (SOUNDBITE) (Mandarin) 27-YEAR-OLD MARKET VENDOR LI PEI-HUAN SAYING: "For probably about three or four years, (typhoons) have all been weaker. This one is a little bit bigger, yes." SECURITY GUARD WALKING FOR COVER WOMAN HOLDING BROKEN UMBRELLA UPROOTED TREE BLOCKING STREET TOPPLED MOTOR SCOOTER NEXT TO UPROOTED TREE PEDESTRIAN CROSSING STREET PLASTIC CONTAINER BEING BLOWN THROUGH STREET BROKEN UMBRELLA CAUGHT IN HANDRAIL VARIOUS OF TOURISTS SHELTERING FROM WIND RAINFALL ON GROUND (SOUNDBITE) (English) HONG KONG TOURIST JANE GUN SAYING: "It's stronger than in Hong Kong, I mean, maybe geographical effect. So, I feel the wind is stronger, but we do have typhoon in Hong Kong. But this is the first time I see typhoon in Taiwan, despite that I often come here." VARIOUS OF RESTAURANT WINDOWS SECURED WITH TAPE HEAVY RAIN AND WIND OUTSIDE RESTAURANT WINDOW SCHOOL ENTRANCE STATUE IN SCHOOL YARD BANNER FLUTTERING IN WIND SCHOOL WINDOW VARIOUS OF EMPTY SCHOOL OVAL
- Embargoed: 12th October 2016 08:32
- Keywords: Taiwan typhoon Megi landfall heavy rains strong wind Taipei eastern coast
- Location: TAIPEI, TAIWAN
- City: TAIPEI, TAIWAN
- Country: Taiwan
- Topics: Disaster/Accidents,Wind/Hurricane/Typhoons/Tornadoes
- Reuters ID: LVA00151CBMTH
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text:Pedestrians in Taipei faced strong winds and heavy rain just before Typhoon Megi made landfall in Taiwan on Tuesday (September 27), injuring more than 30 people, ripping signs off buildings and knocking down trees.
According to Taiwan's Central Weather Bureau, Megi made landfall on Taiwan's eastern coast at around 1400 local time (0600 GMT ) and is moving in a west-north-western direction at a decreasing speed of 22km/h and winds gusting up to 55m/s.
Pedestrians in Taipei held onto their umbrellas while seeking shelter from the rain, as the impact of Megi was felt more strongly in northern Taiwan than previous typhoons.
"For probably about three or four years, (typhoons) have all been weaker. This one is a little bit bigger, yes," said Li Pei-huan, a local market vendor.
Trees and motor scooters were toppled over by wind gusts, while household items were blown out to the streets.
Hong Kong tourist Jane Gun sought shelter in the entrance of a high-rise on her way to an underground mall.
"It's stronger than in Hong Kong, I mean, maybe geographical effect. So, I feel the wind is stronger, but we do have typhoon in Hong Kong. But this is the first time I see typhoon in Taiwan, despite that I often come here," she said.
Most schools and offices were shut and the north-south bullet train suspended services as Typhoon Megi roared in from the Pacific and hit eastern Taiwan.
At least 32 people were injured and more than 5,300 evacuated, the government's Central Emergency Operation Centre said, while more than 950,000 households were without electricity, according to the main power supplier, Taiwan Power Co.
Bus and subway services were mostly suspended in the capital, Taipei, while hundreds of international flights were cancelled.
The typhoon was expected to move across Taiwan and head into the Taiwan Strait and on towards China on Wednesday (September 28).
This month, super Typhoon Meranti killed 28 people in China and Taiwan and cut power to more than a million homes.
Typhoons are common in the region at this time of year, picking up strength as they cross warm Pacific waters and bringing fierce wind and rain when they reach land. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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