Typhoon Maria path updates LIVE: Strongest typhoon EVER bears down on Taiwan – China next
TYPHOON Maria has started to bear down on Taiwan with fierce winds and heavy rain as forecasters warned the storm could be life-threatening. Here is the latest news and live updates on super typhoon Maria.
By RACHEL RUSSELL
Express.co.uk
Tue, Jul 10, 2018
Taiwan is braced for super typhoon Maria today, as the swirling vortex tracks northwards towards the island.
Maria was expected to make landfall late on Tuesday, hitting Taiwan’s northern region the hardest, as it moves in a west-northwesterly direction at 30 kph (19 mph), from its location 490 km (305 miles) east of Yilan County, weather officials said.
Troops were deployed in some areas, with heavy rain and winds expected into early Wednesday.
Typhoon Maria is on course to lash Japan’s Ryukyu Islands before barrelling into China, south of Shanghai on Wednesday.
The south of Shanghai will get the worst conditions, although outer bands of the storm will result in showers on Wednesday.
The super typhoon is currently on course to enter the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) on Monday.
3.45pm update: Be prepared for travel disruption in Taiwan
After Maria has finished lashing the Ryukyu Islands, the storm will then pass by the tip of northern Taiwan tonight. The typhoon is not expected to make landfall on the island, but will get close enough to make significant damage to the nation.
Rain and wind could cause huge transport delays in Taipei and the surrounding communities.
Along the northern coast of Taiwan, wind gusts could reach 80 to 100 mph (130-160 km/h) which would cause power outages and some damage to structures. Taipei would have slightly lower wind speeds, but the city may still have some wind damage and power outages.
Heavy rain will also threaten northern Taiwan with many locations expected to receive 125-250 mm (5-10 inches) of rain.
However, conditions across northern Taiwan will improve on Wednesday as Maria departs and approaches the coastline of eastern China.
3.30pm update: Maria is on the warpath
On Tuesday afternoon local time, Maria’s eye passed directly over Japan’s Miyakojima Island, according to Accuweather.
The sun reportedly appeared as the eye of the cyclone passed over the island and winds calmed down after reaching gusts of 76 mph (120 km/h).
Forecasters have warned Maria is set to threaten lives and homes when it passes dangerously close to northern Taiwan tonight, before moving into eastern China on Wednesday and Thursday.
Anyone in Maria’s path is advised to follow any evacuation orders.
AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Alan Reppert said: “Maria’s excessive rainfall can lead to significant flooding. Mudslides are a serious concern in the higher terrain.”
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