Perilous Times and Climate Change
Hundreds of thousands flee as typhoon hits China
By the CNN Wire Staff
October 23, 2010 12:28 p.m. EDT
Massive Waves crash into a waterfront wall in Zhangpu on October 23,
2010 in Fujian province, China.
STORY HIGHLIGHTS
* About 270,000 people have been evacuated in southeastern China
* At least 11 are killed in Taiwan and 11 in the Philippines
* It is the fourth typhoon to hit China this year
* In Taiwan, the typhoon was downgraded to a tropical storm
(CNN) -- Typhoon Megi hit China on Saturday, sending hundreds of
thousands fleeing as it made landfall in the southeastern province of
Fujian, state media reported.
About 270,000 people have been evacuated, Xinhua news agency said.
The fourth typhoon to hit China this year made landfall in Zhangzhou
city. It forced the cancellation of ferry services and 79 flights in
the coastal city of Xiamen, authorities said.
It is expected to lose strength as it heads inland, but will bring
heavy rains to southeastern provinces.
Officials have issued the warnings as they brace for possible
devastation in coastal areas, Xinhua said.
Meanwhile, the typhoon killed 11 people in Taiwan and left about 400
tourists stranded. At least 200 of the tourists were from the Chinese
mainland, Xinhua said.
In Taiwan, the typhoon was downgraded to a tropical storm after it made
landfall in China.
At least 23 people on Chinese tour groups were listed as missing,
Taiwan's official Central News Agency reported. Rescuers were searching
for the missing and providing food to other stranded tourists trapped
on the mountainous region of northeastern Taiwan.
Heavy rains will ease in Taiwan on Saturday, according to the
meteorological department.
The typhoon affected an estimated 258,844 Filipinos, leaving thousands
homeless, when it hit the island earlier this week.
CNN's Helena Hong contributed to this report.