China Readying For Arrival Of Typhoon Neoguri

China is increasing safety measures in preparation for the arrival of Typhoon Neoguri, which on Tuesday started to pummel the southern Japanese islands of Okinawa.



China's National Marine Environmental Forecasting Center said Tuesday that the typhoon is expected to hit northern and eastern parts of Taiwan at midday, warning ships and vessels sailing in the East China Sea to stay away from regions in its path. 



Officials said they expect tidal waves to hit the coastal areas of Zhejiang and Fujian.



Major airlines in Taiwan have made changes to flight schedules because of the potential of disruption. Among those were flights to the Japanese island of Okinawa.



The Okinawa government reported Tuesday that four people had been injured in the typhoon; among them a fisherman reported missing in rough seas in the country's north.



Japan's Meteorological Agency said that Neoguri was packing sustained winds of 194 kilometers per hour and gusts up to 240 kph.



Residents were forced to take refuge from towering waves, destructive winds, and storm surges. Flights were cancelled and television images showed trees toppled as Neoguri tore across the island's capital Naha.



The Philippines, which suffered the ferocity of Typhoon Haiyan six months ago, was spared Neoguri, the storm failing to make land, instead intensify the country's southwest monsoon, which dumped heavy rains on some western provinces.



www.aa.com.tr/en - Pekin