Typhoon Sinlaku pounds Taiwan, causing floods
Taipei - Typhoon Sinlaku slammed into Taiwan Sunday, bringing torrential rains that triggered floods and rockslides in northern and eastern parts of the islands.
The typhoon, with its center winds weakening to 126 kilometers per hour from as much as 184 kilometers per hour the previous day, was still lingering in the sea just 50 kilometers off the northern port city of Keelung, the bureau said.
It has dumped at least 1,000 millimetres of rainfall in the north-east part of the island, and weathermen forecast at least 700 millimetres in the next two days.
Authorities had to evacuate 250 residents in mountainous regions in northern Taiwan because of mud and rockslides.
Floods at waist level were reported in eight low-lying areas in northern and northeastern island, while more than 120,000 households were cut off power supply because of the rains.
Agricultural authorities warned that 55 rivers were prone to flash flooding and advised residents nearby to prepare to evacuate.
Taiwan's international airport in Taoyuan and domestic airports elsewhere had to delay or cancel flights for the second day since Saturday.
The typhoon also caused injuries of various degrees to at least 13 people so far, but all cases were not critical, police said. (dpa)