2023-08-30 07:13:04
TAIPEI, Taiwan (AP) — Typhoon Saola gained strength overnight as it continued to push across the Pacific Ocean early Wednesday, heading for the southern coast of China.
The typhoon was moving in a northwesterly course with sustained winds of 191 km/h (118 mph) and gusts of up to 234 km/h (145 mph), according to Taiwan’s Central Meteorological Agency, and is now considered a strong typhoon. The vortex of the meteor will not reach the territory of Taiwan, but its outer bands will hit the cities of the south of the island.
The weather agency also warned of heavy downpours and winds in southern Taiwan cities, especially Pingtung county. The typhoon is currently moving south of the island, in the Bashi Channel, the oceanic strip that separates Taiwan and the Philippines.
Saola passed through the Philippines earlier this week, but so far no casualties have been reported. However, in the north of the archipelago, torrential rains and strong winds from the typhoon intensified seasonal monsoon rains, inundating low-lying villages and displacing nearly 50,000 people, including 35,000 villagers, to government-appointed centers. Ports suspended inter-island ferry service due to strong waves and more than a hundred houses were damaged.
The typhoon is expected to hit Fujian and Guangdong provinces in southern China on Friday. According to the China National Meteorological Center, the meteor is expected to weaken as it approaches land.
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Associated Press writer Jim Gomez in Manila, Philippines contributed to this report.
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