Philippines’ authorities shut offices and schools due to typhoon

The seventh storm this season was packing winds of 130 kilometers (81 miles) per hour and gusts of up to 160 kph (100 mph) as it approached a cluster of islands in the far north of the Philippines, where authorities raised a weather alert.

Photo: Philippines’ authorities shut offices and schools due to typhoon

The typhoon was expected to make landfall over central Taiwan early Tuesday, then weaken into a tropical storm before making its second landfall along China's Fujian province later on Tuesday, forecasters said.

In Manila and the rest of the northern Philippines, still reeling from Tropical Storm Bilis that left about two dozen dead in landslides and flash floods, authorities suspended school classes and work in government offices. The stock exchange also was closed.

In Taiwan, fishing boats sought shelter at ports and residents were warned to prepare for torrential rains and heavy winds, according to the AP.

About 300 villagers were being evacuated from a mountainous region in Taitung as torrential rains drenched the coastal county in the southeastern part of the island, Taiwan's TVBS cable TV news said.

To the north, in Hualien County, a boulder hit a tour bus in the scenic Taroko Gorge, injuring four passengers, police said.

As of Monday evening, Kaemi was about 160 kilometers (100 miles) southeast of the southern tip of Taiwan, over the Pacific Ocean, the Central Weather Bureau said.