Fishing boats get shelter at the Huangqi Port in Lianjiang County, southeast China's Fujian Province, Sept. 19, 2010. [Xinhua]

Typhoon Fanapi, the 11th and strongest typhoon to hit China this year, struck southeast China's Fujian Province at 7:00 AM Monday, according to Fujian provincial flood control headquarters.

Fanapi hit Gulei Township in Fujian's Zhangpu County, lashing the province's coastal areas with winds and torrential rains.

Winds near the center reached 35 meters per second, and rainfall of more than 250 mm was predicted to hit parts of Fujian, as the typhoon moved inland at a speed of 20 km per hour, according to the provincial weather bureau.

In Xiamen, primary and middle schools and kindergartens were all closed.

"With such strong winds and rain, it is difficult for adults to get around, let alone the kids, so it's better for them to stay at home," said Xiamen resident Yang Diwang.

Few people were out on the streets Monday morning, with the storm uprooting trees, ripping of tree branches and knocking over billboards.

People took taxis to work. "It's very difficult to hail a cab today. I waited for half an hour," said resident Yang Yanhui.

No casualties have been reported and damage is yet to be assessed.

Taiwan's meteorological department on Monday morning lifted the typhoon warning for land areas as the typhoon moved away, but the department warned of strong winds and heavy rains continuing in Kinmen and Penghu.

As of 10:00 PM Sunday, 76 people had been injured and more than 10,000 had been evacuated in Taiwan since the typhoon landed in Hualien on Sunday morning, local emergency response department said.

The local agricultural department estimated agricultural losses could exceed 100 million New Taiwan dollars (US$3.15 million), with fruit including bananas and persimmons the worst hit.

Schools in Tainan, Kaohsiung, Chiayi, and Pingtung remained closed because of the heavy rains.

Fishermen fasten their fishing boats at the Huangqi port in Lianjiang County, southeast China's Fujian Province, Sept. 19, 2010. [Xinhua]

(Xinhua News Agency September 20, 2010)