Typhoon strikes China

ONE of the strongest typhoons in years has lifted waves taller than lampposts on to Hong Kong promenades and created rough seas on the southern Chinese coast after causing deadly destruction in Taiwan and the Philippines.

- 

In Taiwan, 17 people died in a flooded town, and 10 deaths were reported in the Philippines.

Nearly 1.9 million people were relocated across the province of Guangdong, the southern Chinese economic powerhouse.

A weather station in Chuandao recorded maximum gusts of about 150mph at noon yesterday, a high in Jiangmen city since recordkeeping began.

Huge waves battered the city of Zhuhai's coastline and strong winds buffeted trees under intense rain. Fallen branches were scattered on the streets.