Taiwan struck by typhoon

A powerful Typhoon soudelor pounded Taiwan with fierce winds and torrential rain on Saturday, killing at least four people.

At least three people were killed and nearly 2 million homes lost power as Typhoon Soudelor battered Taiwan with winds nearing 200 kilometers (125 miles) per hour.

Typhoon Soudelor made landfall early in the morning on the island’s east-coast counties of Yilan and Hualien, bringing up to 1,000mm of rain in mountainous northeastern areas and wind gusting up to 200kph.

The storm earlier caused more than 3 million households in Taiwan to lose electricity, with streets strewn with fallen trees.

An eight-year-old girl and her mother had become the first casualties when they were swept out to sea and died as the storm approached on Thursday. The child’s twin sister is still missing. Authorities there have evacuated people on the coast.

As Typhoon Soudelor approaches, visitors move out browse drywall due to the seashore in Yilan County, …

People said tall buildings swayed as they were hit by the strong gusts of wind, although the glass-covered Taipei 101, the world’s second tallest building, emerged unscathed from the gloom.

The typhoon, expected to land between the cities of Jinjiang and Fuqing this evening, will pose a serious threat to Fujian, the provincial meteorological station said.

Storm chaser James Reynolds told CNN from southeastern Taiwan that there had been extremely ferocious winds and blinding rain as the storm made landfall, as well as huge waves battering the coastline.

SAM YEH/AFP/Getty Images A picture shows the Jingmei River as Typhoon Soudelor hits Taipei on August 8, 2015.

Typhoon Soudelor lashed Taiwan on Saturday, downing trees, traffic lights and power lines.

Taiwan’s weather bureau says the typhoon is moving north-west, gradually losing its strength.

A maintenance worker views a mangled rooftop brought down by strong… More than 7,000 soldiers and police were on standby, according to authorities.

Forecasters predict the storm will weaken before hitting China, but it is still predicted to pack hurricane strength winds.