Taipei - Taiwan issued a land warning for Typhoon Fung-Wong (Phoenix) early Sunday morning, as the storm was approaching the island from the Pacific Ocean.

From Saturday noon until early Sunday morning, Fung-Wong has moved closer towards Taiwan by 100 kilometres and the edge of the typhoon circle is expected to reach Taiwan on Monday, the Central Weather Bureau said.

By 2:30 am Sunday (1830 GMT Saturday), the centre of Fung-Wong was 490 kilometres south-east of Taiwan's southern tip at Erlunpi.

Moving in a westerly direction at 15 kilometres per hour (kmh), Fung-Wong packs centre winds of 119 kmh and gusts of 126 kmh.

On Saturday, the Central Weather Bureau already issued a sea warning for Fung-Wong, warning people to stay away from the south and south-east coast, and ships operating south of Taiwan to take precautions.

Fung-Wong comes on the heels of Typhoon Kalmaegi which hit Taiwan on July 18, leaving at least 18 dead and causing severe agricultural damage. (dpa)