Powerful Typhoon Fitow has rammed into eastern
China after triggering the evacuation of hundreds
of thousands of people.
With winds up to 151km/h (93mph), the storm landed
in Fujian province early on Monday, bringing heavy
rains and causing widespread power cuts.
The authorities earlier issued the highest alert - red - for
the area.
At least two people have been killed by the typhoon,
state-run news agency Xinhua reported.
One victim was on his way to rescue a fisherman when
he was blown off a hill by strong winds late on Sunday,
Xinhua said.
Some homes are said to have collapsed in neighbouring
Zhejiang province and two port workers are missing.
Travel chaos
Typhoon Fitow - named after a flower - made landfall
at 01:15 local time on Monday (17:15 GMT Sunday) in
the city of Fuding, Chinese meteorologists said.
The typhoon had affected over three million people in
Zhejiang and caused economic damage of over 2bn
yuan ($330m; £200m), Xinhua said, citing the
provincial flood control office.
Parts of China have been hit by up to 200mm (8
inches) of rain, AFP news agency reported.
Over the weekend the authorities drafted in the army
to help strengthen flood defences, the BBC's John
Sudworth in Shanghai reports.
China is used to dealing with extreme weather events
but, nonetheless, the risk to life remains high, our
correspondent adds.
Typhoon Fitow has brought storm surges to China's
eastern coastline.
Hundreds of thousands were evacuated before the
storm hit the coast.
Ports are at a standstill as boats have been ordered to
take shelter.
The strong winds did not deter some people from
venturing outside.
In Fujian, 177,000 people were evacuated before the
storm hit the coast, Xinhua said, while in Zhejiang,
some 574,000 people had to leave their homes.
Some 35,000 boats in Zhejiang and 30,000 in Fujian
were ordered to return to harbour for shelter.
Coastal facilities such as seaside bathing centres were
also closed, state media reported.
"We must not leave anybody in danger," Zhejiang
Governor Li Qiang was quoted as saying.
The typhoon also caused suspension of bullet trains
and coach services in several cities in the area.
Dozens of flights to and from Wenzhou airport in
Zhejiang were cancelled.
The storm is now moving north-west and is expected
to weaken quickly.
Typhoon Fitow is the 23rd typhoon to hit China this
year, Xinhua reported.
It comes just weeks after Typhoon Usagi killed at least
25 people in southern Guangdong province.
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