East China braces for typhoon Wipha

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Source: CCTV.com | 09-18-2007 16:01

Typhoon Wipha is now approaching East China's coast after having gained strength. People there are on high alert and authorities are taking urgent measures, bracing themselves for it's arrival.

Wipha's edge has already passed over northern Taiwan bringing with it downpours and prompting schools, offices and markets to close. The major port of Keelung stopped all traffic on Tuesday, while five airlines canceled international flights.

At 10 o'clock local time this morning, weather experts said Wipha's center was 400 kilometers from the mainland's eastern coast of Zhejiang. It's now moving northwest, picking up winds of nearly 200 kilometers per hour.