Taiwan braces for Typhoon Dujuan

Typhoon Dujuan is expected to make landfall in eastern Taiwan Monday evening, and strong rain and gusts have been raging on the island since noon.

According to Taiwan's meteorological bureau, the typhoon was centered 140 km east of Hualien County and moving toward the island at a speed of 23 km per hour as of 2:30 p.m.

The bureau said Dujuan is packing maximum sustained winds of 184 km per hour, with gusts reaching 227 km per hour.

Forecasters warned Dujuan could land between 8 p.m. and 11 p.m. following its current path, bringing even more precipitation and stronger wind at night and Tuesday morning.

Cities and counties in northern and central Taiwan including Yilan, Keelung, Taipei, New Taipei and Taoyuan announced school and office closures on Monday. Tainan and Kaoshiung in southern Taiwan also called off afternoon and evening classes.

Taiwan's railway services have been suspended since 3 p.m. due to strong winds and heavy rainfall brought by Typhoon Dujuan.

According to Taoyuan International Airport, an estimated 306 flights, including 291 passenger airliners, 14 freighters and one chartered plane, were canceled Monday.

Taipei water department has advised residents in the city and also in New Taipei to stock up on water, warning the water supply may be suspended if the reservoir becomes too turbid.

A live concert by American music legend Bon Jovi scheduled for Monday at the Taipei World Trade Center Nangang Exhibition Hall has been canceled, the local concert promoter said. Endi