Typhoon pounds Taiwan

Storm warnings

Government and weather bureau officials have advised people to stay away from beaches and mudslide-prone mountains and beware of flying debris.

Sinlaku is the fourth typhoon to hit Taiwan this year, the weather bureau said.

Typhoon Kalmaegi killed at least 20 people in July and caused extensive flooding, landslides and crop damage in the south and central part of the island.

Typhoons regularly reach China, Taiwan, the Philippines and Japan from August until the end of the year, gathering strength from the warm waters of the Pacific or the South China Sea before weakening over land.