Typhoon Mitag has triggered weather warnings for Japan and China as it tracks closer to land and grows in strength. As of the Joint Typhoon Warning Center’s latest advisory, the typhoon was packing winds of 80.5mph with gusts reaching 97.8mph. These wind speeds make Mitag the equivalent of a category one hurricane on the Saffir Simpson Hurricane wind scale.
Typhoon Mitag is located approximately 477 miles south-southwest of Kadena Airbase and is tracking northwestward at a rate of 13mph.
For many in Tapei, work and school have been cancelled for Monday, September 30 as Mitag draws closer.
The Central Weather Bureau (CWB) issued a land warning at 8.30pm local time on Sunday for typhoon Mitag.
The storm is forecast to reach waters about 55.9 miles east of Taipei in northern Taiwan at 8pm Monday local time.
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Mitag could also threaten Yilan, Hualien and Taitung in the east.
The CWB warned Mitag could affect northern and northeastern areas of Taiwan as it approaches the waters off the eastern half of Taiwan.
As the typhoon tracks closer, heavy rain is expected in northern, northeastern and eastern parts of the country.
World Cup organisers have briefed both France and the United States on “contingency options”http://feedproxy.google.com/” for their Pool C match in Fukuoka on Wednesday if the game is affected by Typhoon Mitag.
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Land warnings are in place for the following areas
- Nantou County
- Keelung
- Yilan County
- New Taipei City
- Hsinchu County
- Hsinchu City
- Taoyuan City
- Taichung City
- Taipei City
- Taitung County
- Hualien County
- Miaoli County
Typhoon Season in the Pacific Ocean, runs across the year, however activity peaks between May and October.
This year there have been eight typhoons, and the strongest of these was Typhoon Wutip, also known as Typhoon Betty.
Betty reached Category 5 super typhoon status, with winds peaking at 120mph.
Preliminary estimates of damage in Guam and Micronesia were at $3.3 million (£2.68 million).