A strong earthquake measuring 5,4 on the Richter scale rocked eastern Taiwan late on Saturday as the island braced for the impact of powerful Typhoon Longwang.
The earthquake, with a depth of just 2,7km, was located about 83,3km east of the eastern city of Hualien, seismologists said.
Police said no casualties were reported so far, though the strong quake had sent some residents in Hualien and other nearby townships rushing to the streets in panic despite strong gusts and torrential rains brought by Longwang.
Taiwan has been under the influence of the powerful storm, which is expected to make landfall in eastern Taiwan by Sunday morning.
Packing sustained winds of up to 227kph, Longwang, Chinese for ”dragon king”, is expected to bring strong gusts and torrential rains to the entire island, Central Weather Bureau forecaster Lin Hsiu-wen said.
”The edge of the typhoon circle has reached the sea off the eastern part of Taiwan and we expect the influence of Longwang will grow stronger by Sunday morning,” she said.
Longwang was reported on Saturday to be moving at 20kph in a north-westerly direction inland off the eastern county of Hualien.
Local governments have set up anti-typhoon centres, while local airlines have decided to suspend domestic flights between late Saturday and Sunday.
International flights, including those by Taiwan’s major carrier, China Airlines, Hong Kong-based Cathay Pacific and Japan Asia, will suspend some flights from Taipei on Sunday, airlines officials said.
All passengers are urged to contact the airlines before travelling to the airport.
Trains running throughout the island will also be suspended on Sunday, while boat cruises will be postponed to Monday, operators said.
The Central Weather Bureau defined Longwang, which has a radius of 200km, as a powerful typhoon and warned that it could cause severe damage, including mud and rockslides. — Sapa-DPA