Typhoon Mitag bears down on Taiwan

Parts of Taiwan's north and east including the capital Taipei have been put on alert for heavy weather with Typhoon Mitag expected to move close to the island.

People use umbrellas to shelter from the rain in Keelung city as Typhoon Mitag approached the northeast coast of Taiwan. Source: AFP

Fast-moving Typhoon Mitag is bearing down on northern Taiwan, bringing high winds and heavy rain and forcing flight cancellations.

Alerts were ordered for parts of the island's east and north, including the capital, Taipei, with the worst of the weather expected to arrive overnight on Monday.

A statue of Matsu is seen at Zhongzheng Park in Keelung city as Typhoon Mitag approaches the northeast coast of Taiwan. Source: AFP

Classes were cancelled and government offices closed in Taipei and the surrounding areas of New Taipei City, Keelung, Yilan county, Taoyuan, and Hsinchu county. Similar orders were also issued for islands off the east coast and ferry services were suspended.

All domestic flights had been suspended by early afternoon and a number of international flights from the island's main international airport outside Taipei cancelled.

A general view shows Keelung city as Typhoon Mitag approaches the northeast coast of Taiwan. Source: AFP

The storm's centre was expected to pass just east of the island before heading toward Shanghai on mainland China, then weakening as it moves toward South Korea and Japan.

On Monday, Taiwan's weather bureau said Mitag was strengthening gradually as it moved north at about 27km/h with winds gusting at up to 162 km/h.