Powerful typhoon nears Taiwan; ships, planes grounded
ILAN, Taiwan- A powerful typhoon was approaching eastern Taiwan, churning up huge waves and wind Thursday that grounded fishing boats, commercial ships and planes.
The fast-moving Typhoon Nepartak, packing maximum sustained winds of 136 miles per hour and gusts of 158 mph, was blowing over the Philippine Sea with a large rain diameter of 403 miles, according to the Philippine weather agency.
It is forecasted to make landfall Friday morning south of Hualien city in eastern Taiwan. Big waves were already lashing the shore of nearby Ilan port city, where fishermen tightened their boats. Forecasters said waves of 3 to 24 feet) could batter the coast, inland lakes and beachfront areas.
