Taiwan evacuates thousands as typhoon approaches

Taiwan evacuated thousands of people from remote villages on Sunday as a typhoon which has left at least eight people dead in the Philippines approached, packing torrential rain and fierce winds.
The authorities pulled some 2,500 villagers from the east and south of the island, the Central Emergency Centre said, with Typhoon Nanmadol forecast to make landfall in eastern Taiwan on Monday morning. A Singapore-bound flight and 22 domestic services have been cancelled while shipping transportation services between Taiwan and several offshore islands have also been interrupted. Offices and schools will be closed on Monday.
The Central Weather Bureau urged the public to stay away from mountainous and low-lying areas as the typhoon, Taiwan's first of the year, may bring fierce wind and heavy rain, sparking flash floods and landslides.