China has been battered by Typhoon Meranti as its strong winds and high waves slammed into eastern China this past week.

Typhoon Meranti is the strongest storm in China this year, packing winds with a speed of 175 miles per hour. In Zhejiang province, heavy rain and winds caused more than 900 houses to collapse.

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According to Xinhua, Meranti hit Xiamen City, Fujian on Thursday morning. Its landfall was accompanied with a grade 17 wind force, causing strong rainstorms. Fujian flood control authorities reported 18 deaths and 11 people missing. The typhoon is believed to have caused nearly $2.6 billion worth of direct economic losses in the province.

The typhoon also lashed neighboring Zhejiang. In the province, Meranti caused over 900 houses to collapse, affecting more than 1.5 million people. The province now faces risk from another typhoon as Chinese authorities have issued warning about Malakas.

China's National Marine Environmental Forecasting Center has advised ships to stay away from waters in the coastal regions of Shanghai, Guangdong and Fujian. According to USA Today, Typhoon Malakas is likely to lose strength as it makes its way to the northeast of Taiwan and China. However, it is expected to regain its power as it reaches Yonaguni on Wednesday. Typhoon Malakas is likely to become a Category 4 hurricane strength at that time.

In Taiwan, authorities are preparing for the typhoon. According to the Central Emergency Operation Center, 2,65 people were evacuated from Hualien County, Yilan County, Taoyuan City and New Taipei City. Authorities have also suspended train services in the affected areas.

TagsMeranti, Zhejiang, National Marina Environmental Forecasting Center, Malakas, Typhoon Malakas