Typhoon Soudelor, the strongest storm this year, made landfall in the eastern coast of Taiwan early Saturday. At least four people have been reported dead and several properties damaged as strong winds and heavy rainfall accompanied the approach of the typhoon.

Meteorologists say the wind speed of Souledor - at over 120 mph - makes the storm tantamount to a Category 3 hurricane. Souledor was declared the strongest storm in the planet this year after its wind speed peaked at about 180 mph earlier in the week.

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Heavy rains battered parts of Taiwan on Friday as the storm approached - forcing many schools and offices to remain closed. Transportation and electrical power in the island has also been severely affected by the storm.

The Taiwanese casualties of Souledor were killed on Thursday after they were swept away into the sea by powerful waves, according to local sources. Among the dead are two twin sisters, as well as a 7-year-old girl and her mother.

Thousands of people were relocated before Souledor hit Taiwan's Hualien coast. The storm is believed to have caused damages to infrastructure worth millions of dollars.

As Souledor leaves Taiwan and heads for China, Premier Li Keqiang has ordered the Office of State Flood Control and Drought Relief to closely monitor the storm and provide the necessary assistance to civilians.

Thousands of people have been relocated from Fujian Province, where Souledor is expected to make landfall on Saturday night. Authorities have since ordered all vessels to return to the port. Transportation has also been restricted due to the storm.

China's National Meteorological Bureau has issued an orange warning for the typhoon - its second least severe warning. Meteorologists say the storm will continue to lose intensity as it approaches China.

Strong winds and heavy rainfall is expected to affect parts of the country on Saturday and Sunday as Souledor makes landfall. The National Meteorological Bureau has called on local authorities in the areas to be affected by the storm to prepare for emergency response.

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