Heavy rainstorms to hit China after Typhoon Koinu batters Taiwan

FILE PHOTO: Workers lift up a turned-over food cart after Typhoon Koinu passed the southern tip of Taiwan, in Kenting, Taiwan on October 5, 2023. REUTERS/Carlos Garcia Rawlins/File Photo

BEIJING — Heavy rainstorms and strong winds will hit southern China in the next three days as Typhoon Koinu approaches the coast of Guangdong province after killing one and injuring hundreds in Taiwan.

Typhoon Koinu, which means “puppy” in Japanese, will bring heavy rain along the coasts of Guangdong and neighboring Fujian province in the next three days, China’s National Meteorological Centre (NMC) said.

The NMC said rainfall in Guangdong could reach more than 300 millimeters. It also issued a yellow alert for strong winds, the third highest in a four-coloured warning system.

READ: Millions off work as Typhoon Koinu brushes past Taiwan with lashing rain

Guangdong province has suspended dozens of ferry routes since late Thursday and the NMC warned tourists to stay away from beach resorts on the last day of a week-long national holiday on Friday.

Typhoon Koinu was traveling around 144 kilometers per hour (89 mph) off the coast of the southern Guangdong city of Shanwei as of 8 a.m. on Friday, said the NMC, slowing down from the 252 kph (156mph) on Thursday in Taiwan.

The typhoon is expected to weaken into a strong tropical storm from late Friday and grow weaker as it heads west along China’s southern coast, it said.

READ: Flights cancelled, work suspended as typhoon Koinu grinds towards Taiwan

Typhoon Koinu killed one person and injured almost 400 people in Taiwan, causing the most extensive damage on remote Orchid Island off Taiwan’s east coast and home to around 5,000 people, although no one was injured on the island.

More than 70 boats were overturned or sunk in a harbour on the island, two schools were seriously damaged and power cut due to the typhoon. An air force helicopter was flying in engineers to restore electricity on Friday.

READ: Taiwan braces for Typhoon Koinu, torrential rain expected