Zhejiang, Shanghai Brace For Super Typhoon Lekima

Authorities cancelled Saturday train services in Zhejiang, Shanghai and other surrounding areas as Super Typhoon Lekima which is expected to batter the region early on Saturday with high winds and torrential rainfall.

Authorities have issued red alert, the country's top most weather warning, for Zhejiang province and issued a yellow alert for torrential rain and flooding for provinces in Lekima's path.

The ninth typhoon of the year is projected to move northwest up China's coast with the China Meteorological Administration (CMA) focusing its attention on Shanghai and Zhejiang, Fujian, Jiangsu and Shandong provinces.

Some airlines have cancelled Saturday flights out of Shanghai as a precaution, said the CMA.

The "great evacuation" from the sea was well under way, with ships returning to port and moving to safe areas, the newspaper added.

The storm was sweeping past the northern tip of Taiwan on Friday, where nine people were injured, some trees were downed and some 73,000 homes lost power temporarily. Local reports said one death has been linked to the weather.

Taiwan authorities also said about 518 flights were cancelled Friday due to heavy rains. Rail services were also suspended in some places on the island but were expected to resume later Friday. (AFP)