It's one one massive storm after the other coupled with earthquakes. What's next?
Typhoon Nock-ten battered Taiwan on Monday as the storm's eye whirled just off the island's eastern coast, drenching mountainous regions with rain that could trigger deadly mudslides. Forecasters predicted the fast-moving storm would spend most of Monday working its way up Taiwan's eastern coast to the capital, Taipei, before spinning northeast toward Japan's southern islands. Flights were canceled between Taipei and Hong Kong, one of the world's busiest routes. Taiwan's two largest carriers, China Airlines and EVA Airways, said flights to Tokyo and Southeast Asia were also called off. Officials shut down financial markets, schools and government offices in most major cities. High winds tore away shop signs in some cities, where branches, twisted umbrellas and other debris littered the streets. Sheets of rain fell at a 45-degree angle in Taipei, where normally congested streets were eerily empty during morning rush hour. |