DHAKA: Taiwan is bracing itself for the arrival of a vast typhoon, expected to hit the island in the next day.

Thousands of tourists have been evacuated from offshore islands ahead of category five Typhoon Nepartak.

The super typhoon packed winds of up to 263km an hour, some 780km south-east of Taiwan’s Hualien city on Wednesday, officials said, reports the BBC.

They also warned of the risk of flooding and mudslides as high winds and lashing rains were expected.

‘As the typhoon kept gaining strength and approaching Taiwan over the past three hours, the Central Weather Bureau decided to issue a sea warning at 14:30 local time (06:30 GMT),’ senior forecaster Chen Yi-liang told the meida.

‘Residents must heighten their vigilance.’

BDST: 1156 HRS, JUL 07, 2016
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