More than half a million people were evacuated in Fujian Wednesday before Typhoon Aere hit the eastern China's Fujian Province, causing landslides and playing havoc with flight schedules.

The Xinhua News Agency reports that Aere made landfall near Fuqing city south of the provincial capital of Fuzhou, in the afternoon, packing winds of about 130 kilometers an hour after lashing Taiwan.

Heavy rains and force-14 winds knocked down trees and destroyed fish farms in Fujian. Authorities shut down Changle Airport near Fuzhou and ordered more than 10,000 boats back to shore. The local government has also ordered work to stop at all construction sites and cancelled after-class activities at schools and universities.

The China Meteorological Administration forecast the typhoon would have the greatest impact on the coastline between Lianjiang and Quanzhou cities, though the northern part of Zhejiang province was also at risk. The typhoon could also bring landslides to Jiangxi and Guangdong Provinces.

In nearby Taiwan, severe weather brought by Typhoon Aere continued to affect the island after it headed to Fujian.

The fiercest storm to hit Taipei this year is feared to have left at least five people dead and 23 injured on the island. Five others were listed as missing.

(CRI.com August 26, 2004)