Taiwan issues warnings and the capital shuts down as Typhoon Sinlaku
approaches.

(ASIA) TAIPEI, TAIWAN (SEPTEMBER 13, 2008) REUTERS -

Schools and offices in Taiwan's capital were advised not to open on
Saturday (September 13) and surrounding areas were issued strong weather
warnings as a typhoon packing gusts of up to 227 kph (141 mph) began to hit
the island late on Friday.
Typhoon Sinlaku, the centre of which was about 180 km (112 miles) east
of Taiwan at 1615 GMT on Friday, is expected to
bring sustained winds of 184 kph and rainfall of up to 600 millimetres over
the weekend, the island's Central Weather
Bureau and local media reported.
Taipei's main railway halted train services because of the typhoon.
"I was buying a train ticket, but I was asked to return it. The
railway service is not available," said Mr. Lu.
"I want to go to Taichuang. I was taking a train from Luo-Tong to
Shu-Lin but the railway is out of service. I am going to take a high speed
rali to Taichuang," said Mrs. Chen.
As winds began whistling across northern Taiwan, the city of Taipei
advised staying away from schools and workplaces to avoid flying debris while
the weather bureau warned people away from beaches and mudslide-prone
mountains.
The category 3 storm will blanket the island before moving on toward
Japan, the Central News Agency and the forecasting
website Tropical Storm Risk (www.tropicalstormrisk.com) said. It could grow
to category 4 on a 1-5 scale.
Sinlaku would be the fourth typhoon to hit Taiwan this year. On July
18, typhoon Kalmaegi killed at least 20 people 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.