Typhoon Gaemi passes over Taiwan, heads to Chinese coast

Fishing boats are moored at a fishing harbor Wednesday as Typhoon Gaemi approaches in Keelung, Taiwan. (REUTERS/Carlos Garcia Rawlins)
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Typhoon Gaemi blew through northern Taiwan on Thursday, bringing floods and leading to traffic snarls, before heading across the sea and into China where it is expected to bring further torrential rain.

It is expected to bring further rain across Taiwan, with offices and schools as well as the financial markets closed for a second day on Thursday.

Trains, including the high speed line linking northern and southern Taiwan, will be closed until 3 pm, with all domestic flights and 185 international flights cancelled for the day.

The government said only two people had died, with 266 injuries. Taiwanese television stations showed pictures of flooded streets in cities and counties across the island.

Chinese weather forecasters said Gaemi will pass through Fujian and head inland, gradually moving northward with less intensity. But weather forecasters are expecting heavy rain in many areas as it tracks north.

Government officials have already prepared for a stretch of heavy rain and flooding – raising advisories and warnings in the coastal provinces of Fujian and Zhejiang.

Meanwhile, north China is experiencing heavy rain from summer storms around a separate weather system. Officials in capital Beijing upgraded and issued a red warning late Wednesday night for torrential rain expected through most of Thursday, according to Chinese state media.