Taiwan shuts down as Typhoon Krathon approaches

Kaohsiung, Taiwan: Taiwan shut down schools and closed its financial markets on Wednesday as Typhoon Krathon pounded its south and east with torrentia...

Kaohsiung, Taiwan: Taiwan shut down schools and closed its financial markets on Wednesday as Typhoon Krathon pounded its south and east with torrential rains and winds ahead of its expected landfall.

Krathon, packing sustained wind speeds of 162 kilometres (100 miles) per hour and gusts of up to 198 kph -- was 120 kilometres southwest of the major port city Kaohsiung as of 3:00 pm (0700 GMT), the Central Weather Administration (CWA) said.

The typhoon, downgraded overnight to medium from strong under Taiwan's measurement system, is now expected to arrive near Kaohsiung or Tainan on Thursday morning, the agency said, a day later than previously forecast.

"This typhoon is moving very slowly. The time of its landfall continues to be delayed," said CWA chief Cheng Chia-ping.

Offices and schools across the island were closed and the interior ministry said around 10,000 people had been evacuated from vulnerable areas as a precaution.