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More than 150,000 people evacuated from China’s south-east at Typhoon Soudelor approaches

Typhoon Soudelor is expected to hit the Fujian province later today

BEIJING, August 8. /TASS/. Evacuation has started in China’s south-eastern province of Fujian due to Typhoon Soudelor, China Central Television reported on Saturday.

A total of 158,000 people have already been evacuated from vulnerable areas. All ships were ordered to return to ports. Flights were cancelled in provinces of Fujian and Guangdong, ferry service has been halted. Level 3 (orange) danger level was announced in Fujian.

Typhoon Soudelor is expected to hit the Fujian province later today. According to meteorologists, wind gusts can reach up to 50 meters per second in the epicenter of the typhoon. Heavy rainfall is also expected, up to 500 mm in some areas.

At least four people have died and one person has gone missing as powerful Typhoon Soudelor struck Taiwan earlier on Saturday.

Around 30 people were injured, local authorities reported. Schools and offices have been closed because of the weather in many Taiwanese cities and towns. Dozens of flights were cancelled in airports, and ferry and railroad service was halted. Almost 2 million flats were left without electricity because power lines were damaged by fallen trees and strong winds.

According to meteorologists, the typhoon is especially active in the north-eastern Hualien County, though it covers the whole territory of the largest Chinese island. Wind gusts of up to 58 meters per second are accompanied by torrential rains. Hundreds of people have been evacuated from vulnerable areas.

In August 2009, powerful Typhoon Morakot struck Taiwan. More than 650 people died in landslides caused by the typhoon.

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